COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates
The COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first confirmed case in the United Arab Emirates was announced on 29 January 2020. It was the first country in the Middle East to report a confirmed case.[4]
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates
The first patient, a 73-year-old Chinese woman, was released on 9 February after recovering.[5] The first two deaths were confirmed on 20 March. On 22 March, Dubai started an 11-day sterilisation campaign as an effort to contain COVID-19. Night curfew was imposed four days later while the country began disinfection. School closure was first announced on 8 March for four weeks. Three weeks later, it was announced that schools will be closed until the end of the academic year.
Government responses
Aid and repatriation
On 4 March, by the request of their countries' respective governments, 215 people stranded in Wuhan – from countries that include Syria, Iraq, Mauritania, Sudan, Brazil, Egypt, Yemen and Jordan – were flown to Abu Dhabi in a plane equipped with medical facilities.[62]
On 6 April, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, owner of the ExCeL London conference centre, turned the conference centre into a coronavirus hospital for up to 4,000 patients in the UK. Two planes were chartered by Emirati government authorities to bring 80 Emirati nationals home from the UK.[63]
On 12 April, the UAE announced its intent to arrange repatriation flights for Indians and other citizens stranded in the Emirates and wishing to go back to their countries.[64]
Curfew
On 26 March, the UAE imposed a night curfew to begin disinfection.[65] On 28 March, the curfews and disinfection were extended to 5 April.[66]
On 31 March, Al Ras area, one of Dubai's densely populated areas that's home to the gold souk and museums, was placed under lock down for two weeks preventing all residents from leaving or entering the area.[67]
On 4 April, a 24-hour curfew was imposed on Dubai, with stricter restrictions on movement,[68] which was reduced to 10-hours from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am starting 24 April.[69]
On 17 May 2021, Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management changed has increased the capacity of entertainment facilities and venues to 70% and the hotels capacity to 100%.[70]
Economy
On 23 March, the government shut malls for two weeks. Fish, meat and vegetable markets also closed for a renewable period of two weeks.[71]
On 23 April, both Abu Dhabi and Dubai governments announced that some restrictions were being reduced in respect to mall closures with their respective economic departments stating that they were consulting with stakeholders in opening malls in line with government plans for a gradual increase in economic activity in the country. The types of shops allowed to reopen were very limited with regulations to not exceed 30% capacity at any time.[72]
Following the economic downfall of the coronavirus pandemic, the UAE government in July 2020 announced a broad restructuring and merger of more than 50% of its federal agencies, including ministries and departments.[73]
On 4 September 2020, the government announced the sale of $2 billion worth of Islamic and conventional bonds as its first international debt markets sale in the past six years. The government entered the public debt market in order to bolster the emirate's financial market impacted the economic crisis led by the COVID-19 pandemic. The debt sale included a $1 billion tranche for 10-year Sukuk, or 2.763% of Islamic bonds and a $1 billion tranche from a 30-year conventional bond at 4%.[74]
Many blue-collar, migrant workers from Asia and Africa lost their job in UAE due to the economic crisis led by COVID-19. As of 9 October 2020, a release in The Telegraph cited that many migrant workers in the UAE were abandoned without money and food, which led them to spending nights in public parks. White-collar jobs were also impacted by the COVID-19 crisis in UAE, leading many British expats to return home.[75]
A financial survival survey was conducted by the Friends Provident International (FPIL), which concluded that 57% of the workforce in the UAE is financially unprepared to survive 3 months in the unfortunate event of contracting an illness. The conclusion of the survey was drawn based on the responses provided by more than 1,000 UAE employees from across age, gender, nationality, income group, relationship status, and Emirate. It claims that more than two-thirds of Emirati, Arab Expat and Asian-origin workers feared losing their jobs in case of contracting a serious illness as the expats in the UAE are not provided with the same statutory benefits as compared to the Emirati citizens and those provided in their home countries.[76]
Flight suspensions between the UAE and Nigeria from 21 June 2021, due to COVID-19 increased problems for Nigerians working in the UAE. Many complained of visas getting expired and urged the UAE government to offer an early resolution to their problems. Yet, many continue to suffer without any aid from government sources.[77]
Education
On 3 March, UAE's Ministry of Education announced that schools and universities across the country will close for a month starting 8 March.[78] Spring break, which originally would begin on 29 March, instead began on 8 March and lasted for two weeks. Distance learning was introduced during the remaining two weeks, with pupils learning from home.[79] On 30 March, UAE announced that the 2-week online "distance learning" for schools and universities would continue until the end of the academic year in June.
On 18 March, UAE advisory asking Emirati students abroad to immediately return if their university closes.[80] On 24 March, UAE called for all Emirati students studying abroad to return within 48 hours.[81]
Health
On 23 January, Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai International Airport announced that travelers arriving directly from China would have their temperatures screened.[82][83]
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) directed all DHA-licensed hospitals to consider all suspected and confirmed cases as emergencies and patients are to be treated free of charge, including those without insurance.[84] On 22 March, Dubai started an 11-day sterilisation campaign.[85] On 28 March, Abu Dhabi crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed announced that a new testing site had opened.[86]