Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi entry ban in place as UAE ends movement restrictions

UAE lifts movement curbs
The UAE has completed its national sterilisation programme and lifted all movement restrictions effective Wednesday. This means, after 90 days of curbs, residents can travel freely across the country any time of the day or night.
Earlier, they were required to stay home during the national sterilisation programme between 11pm and 6am in Dubai and 10pm and 6am in all other emirates.
"Today we announce the completion of the National Disinfection Programme, which covered the country's public facilities and transportation. However, the public buildings will continue to be regularly disinfected," said Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, spokesman for National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA).
Addressing a virtual Press briefing on Wednesday, Dr Al Dhaheri said: "The programme helped us sterilise public facilities like public transportation means, including the Dubai Metro. We will continue to sterilise all public facilities."
Children under 12 years will be allowed at malls and restaurants across the UAE, the official added.
The UAE first introduced restriction on nightly movement starting March 26 to conduct a general sterilisation programme to curb the spread of coronavirus.
It was effective from 8pm to 6am and residents were not allowed to step out of their homes except for emergencies.
On March 31, a country-wide movement restriction was implemented until April 5 as part of the national sterilisation programme to disinfect bustling streets and public facilities. The curfew on movement continued between 8pm and 6am. Dubai closed down entrances and exit to Al Ras in Deira for mass testing and intense disinfection programme. A nationwide drive to disinfect the metro, buses, taxis and airports was also launched while shopping malls and restaurants remained closed.
On April 23, with the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, the authorities announced that the night time curfew would be adjusted from 10pm to 6am. Malls and restaurants were allowed to operate at 30 per cent capacity.

Children under 12 allowed at malls
Children under 12 years will be allowed at malls and restaurants across the UAE, the official added. Dubai had on June 18 lifted movement restrictions on the elderly and children under 12 years of age. With the latest announcement, the movement restrictions on children have been lifted across the emirates.

3-person limit per car remains
A limit of three persons in a car remains in force across the country, the official said. However, the cap does not apply to members of the same family. If there are more than one person in the car, they are all required to wear masks.

Avoid gatherings
Dr Al Dhaheri also stressed on the need to avoid gatherings. "We advise residents to commit to social distancing when stepping out and wear masks and gloves."
reporters@khaleejtimes.com