UAE suspends all visas to curb Covid-19 pandemic

Flights with four countries suspended

ABU DHABI 15 March 2020: The UAE has suspended, effective March 17, all visas to all foreigners, with the exception of diplomatic passport holders.

In a statement released yesterday, the Federal Authority for Identity And Citizenship (ICA) said: “The move comes as part of the precautionary measures taken by the UAE in response to the World Health Organisation’s declaration of Covid-19 as a pandemic, a development which reflects the high risks now associated with travel under the current circumstances.”

The decision does not apply to those who already have their visas issued prior to the aforementioned date, said Wam.

The ICA noted that the additional precautionary decision will be valid until a mechanism for medical examination has been established in the countries of departure as part of other global measures taken for the common good of all nations of the world to curb the proliferation of the novel virus.

“The ICA affirms that the decision stems from the UAE’s deep sense of responsibility and diligent efforts in collaboration with other countries of the world to fight the coronavirus pandemic and survive this ongoing crisis,” the statement concluded.

UAE suspends inbound, outbound flights with four countries

Meanwhile, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), has announced the suspension of all inbound and outbound flights with Lebanon, Turkey, Syria and Iraq, with effect from 17th March, and until further notice.

The move is part of the country’s proactive precautionary and preventive health measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, said the GCAA in a statement Saturday.

”The decision followed our analysis and assessment of the latest global situation and the scale of the spread of the virus to most countries of the world including Italy, ” the statement added.

”We are maintaining close coordination and cooperation with competent authorities inside and outside the country in regards to the evolving situation.” The statement further added that stakeholders operating under the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, NCEMA, are monitoring the latest global developments in order to take appropriate actions that ensure continuity of work inside the country and to mitigate potential risks.

The GCAA advised passengers affected by the suspension of flights to contact their respective air carriers to reschedule their flights and ensure their safe return to their final destinations.

Three more recover from coronavirus

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), meantime, has announced the full recovery of three additional individuals from the novel coronavirus, Covid-19, bringing the total number of recovered cases in the country to 23.

The ministry said that the recovered – two Emiratis and an Indian – were now “symptom-free” after receiving the necessary healthcare in hospital.

The ministry affirmed that the UAE’s handling of the cases, from diagnosis until recovery, reflect the high standards of its health care system which the country leadership made available to all.

It added that individuals infected by the virus are provided with the highest standards of healthcare and are kept under close observation by specialised medical teams, in alignment with WHO guidelines.

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