Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi to ban travel in and out of emirate

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - Travel in and out of Abu Dhabi will be banned for a week, starting on Tuesday, to help to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Residents of Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra can travel within their cities but not enter or leave them – and cannot go to other emirates.

The decision was announced by the government on Sunday night and does not prevent people from leaving their homes, other than during the nightly disinfection period between 10pm and 6am.

Residents can still travel to work, go shopping, exercise and enjoy entertainment venues that are open.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency and Crisis Committee said the restriction would remain in place for one week.

The committee said the ban applied to all residents and citizens, but special permits would be issued to allow employees of vital sectors, people with chronic diseases visiting hospital and necessary goods to move freely.

A statement carried by Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said the move would help “enhance the effectiveness of the National Screening Programme” – a drive to increase Covid-19 testing among Abu Dhabi residents and citizens.

“This step ... is in line with a series of precautionary and preventive measures being taken to reduce contact, curb the spread of Covid-19 and protect the health and safety of all community members,” the authorities said.

The announcement came as the committee eased some restrictions on activities in the emirate, including raising capacity limits on public areas and reopening some tourist destinations.

On Sunday, the emirate's Emergency and Crisis Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic announced that capacity limits at malls and mall restaurants would increase from 30 per cent to 40 per cent.

Hotel beaches, museums and restaurants outside malls, such as in hotels, could also reopen as long as customers did not exceed 40 per cent of the venue's capacity. Public beaches remain closed.

The easing of restrictions began on Monday but measures remained in place at these venues to ensure the safety of visitors and prevent the spread of the virus.

Some outdoor sporting activities, including horse-riding, track cycling, cricket, golf, tennis and sailing will now be allowed, but only for people aged between 12 and 60.