Covid-19: US embassy, consulate in UAE cancel appointments

The US embassy and consulate in the UAE have announced cancellation of appointments from today (Tuesday, March 17) as part of precautionary measures against coronavirus pandemic.
However, the resumption date for the appointments was not disclosed due to uncertainty surrounding the epidemic.
"As of Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate General in Dubai are cancelling routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible, but we are unable to provide a specific date at this time," it was announced on the embassy and consulate's website.
While the machine-readable visa (MRV) fee paid by applicants is valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment.
Governments in the UAE and around the world are taking precautionary measures and asking their citizens to avoid as much as possible visiting places and choose digital services in bid to fight Covid-19.
It advised applicants who have an urgent matter and need to travel to the US immediately should please follow the guidance provided at its embassy.
American Citizen Services will continue its appointments, as needed, to ensure the welfare and safety of US citizens abroad. US citizens in need of emergency assistance should call +971-2-414-2200 in Abu Dhabi and +971-4-309-4000 in Dubai or the northern Emirates.
It is estimated that Americans form one of the largest Western expatriate communities in the UAE with around 50,000 living and working in the UAE.
-waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com