The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai announced that the sterilization program in the emirate has now been extended to 24 hours a day, starting April 4. It will commence for two weeks, subject for renewal.
The programme will be subject to periodic assessment as per recommendations approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and established international practices.
The Committee stressed that need for residents to #StayHome, and that violators will be subject to legal action. “The compliance of all people is vital to the success of measures to combat the virus and ensure the highest levels of protection,” it added.
This decision comes in light of the successful implementation of the programme, which was launched on Thursday, 26th March, with the use of the most advanced technologies. Intensified restrictions on the movement of people and vehicles are also adopted to help protect the health and safety of the community against COVID-19.
According to Dubai government, public transport allowed at this time are buses and taxis only. Dubai metro services, meanwhile, have been suspended.
The government also announced that it will conduct medical tests across densely populated areas of Dubai to ensure that members of the community are free from COVID-19 infection.
All residents in Dubai were urged to stay unless absolutely necessary to obtain essential food supplies or medicine or perform essential jobs in vital sectors. Everyone who will leave home should wear a mask and gloves and ensure social distancing. According to the Committee, the following outline include those who are permitted to leave home.
Exceptions from restrictions for the General Public
– Essential needs such as buying food from food supply outlets (Union Cooperative stores, supermarkets and groceries); only one family member is permitted to leave the house for this purpose.
– Buying medicines/getting medical assistance from healthcare service providers like hospitals, clinics and pharmacies
– COVID-19 tests
Employees permitted to leave the house:
Vital Sectors
They are exempted from restrictions 24 hours a day:
– Healthcare services (Hospitals, clinics and pharmacies)
– Food supply outlets (Union Cooperative outlets, supermarkets, groceries)
– Delivery services (Food and medicine)
– Restaurants (operations limited to home deliveries only)
– Manufacturers of medicines and providers of healthcare and medical supplies
– Industrial sector (only vital industries)
– Industrial supply chain for services and basic commodities
– Water and electricity sector, petrol and gas stations and district cooling services
– Telecommunications sector
– Media sector
– Airports, airlines, ports, shipping
– Customs duty and border crossings
– Public and private security services
– Municipality services and public and private service providers involved in garbage collection, sewage management and general cleaning and sanitation
– Private and government sector organisations involved in combating the coronavirus (COVID-19).
– Public transport (buses and taxis only; metro and tram services will be suspended)
– Construction sector, subject to obtaining a permit from Dubai Municipality and the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs.
Support Sectors
(Employees working in these sectors are permitted to commute to work between 8.00 am and 2.00 pm)
– Banking and financial services (banks and exchange centres)
– Social welfare services.
– Laundry services (for permitted outlets)
– Maintenance services
