Bus services in Dubai are free for people allowed to leave their homes during the 24-hour lockdown period, while taxis are offering a 50 percent discount on fares.
It comes following the announcement by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management to extend the coronavirus sterilisation programme to 24 hours a day for the next two weeks across all areas and communities in the emirate.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has said the metro and tram services will be suspended for the duration of the disinfection period.
Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the board of executive directors of RTA, said: “The measures aim to help members of the public who need to leave their homes for essential purposes and those who work in vital sectors.
“The decision underscores the RTA’s commitment to support the efforts made by Dubai and the UAE to combat the novel coronavirus and reduce the risk of its spread to the minimum.”
There are currently 1,505 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UAE and 10 recorded deaths.
On Saturday, Dr Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson for the UAE health sector, recommended that members of the public wear face masks for their health and safety, regardless of whether they have cold and flu symptoms or not, “based on results of the latest study that shows how masks can stop the spread of the virus since it is possible to be infected without showing symptoms”. More
By staff arabianbusiness.com
