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Coronavirus: Ban on movement within, outside Abu Dhabi; restrictions in malls, restaurants, beaches eased

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coronavirus, covid-19, Abu Dhabi, movement, national sterilisation programme

Abu Dhabi - The ban, which comes into effect from Tuesday, June 2, will be in place for a period of one week.

Published: Mon 1 Jun 2020, 7:01 PM

Movement in and out of Abu Dhabi as well as between the emirate's regions of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafrah has been banned for a week as authorities continue to fight the spread of Covid-19, it was announced on Sunday.

The ban, which comes into effect from Tuesday, June 2, will be in place for a period of one week, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said.

The ban is applicable to all residents, including UAE nationals, and only those working in vital sectors and holding special permits are exempt from this movement ban.

Abu Dhabi Emergency and Crisis Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Police and the Department of Health, who announced the new ban on movement, said exemptions are available by special permit for employees in vital sectors, chronic disease patients visiting hospitals and the transportation of necessary goods.


Movement within each region is allowed during National Sterilisation Programme hours for residents with special permits.

Abu Dhabi's stay-home order will remain between 10pm to 6am while the national disinfection drive is being implemented to help prevent the virus from spreading.

Food outlets, cooperatives, grocery stores, supermarkets and pharmacies are permitted to open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"This step aims to enhance the effectiveness of the National Screening Programme, in line with a series of precautionary and preventative measures being taken to reduce contact, curb the spread of Covid-19, and protect the health and safety of all community members," said authorities.

This is the first time Abu Dhabi is imposing restrictions on the movement of people in and out of the emirate since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Dubai had in April put in place similar movement restrictions which lasted for two weeks to allow the national disinfection programme.

Restrictions on malls, restaurants eased

Also on Sunday, the National Screening Programme, Abu Dhabi Emergency and Crisis Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic, in collaboration with DOH, announced the easing some restrictions on activities in the emirate, including raising the capacity in malls and restaurants inside malls to 40 per cent.

Hotel beaches, restaurants outside malls and museums are also allowed to re-open with a capacity of 40 per cent. Public beaches will however remain closed, said authorities.

Officials also noted that individual outdoor sports practiced in open spaces, such as horse riding, cricket, cycling, golf, sailing and racquet sports, are also now allowed for people aged 12-60, starting from Monday, June 1.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com



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