There are no plans to cancel public events or close universities, schools and businesses, an official from the UAE National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority has said, according to a report in The National.
Bahrain ordered the closure of universities, schools and nurseries for two weeks on Tuesday as it wrestles to contain the spread of the virus, with 23 people diagnosed in the kingdom up until Wednesday morning.
But there are no plans to follow suit in the UAE. Speaking to news agency Reuters, the unnamed official said the country is “well prepared and equipped for the worst case scenario”.
However, EFG-Hermes Holding has cancelled a frontier emerging markets event in Dubai early next month over concerns about the coronavirus.
The move was confirmed in a note sent to clients.
So far, there are over 150 confirmed cases of the deadly coronavirus in the Middle East.
Tuesday’s AFC Cup second round match between Kuwait’s Dhofar and Qadisiyah Club, from Saudi Arabia, which was scheduled to take place at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait, was postponed, over fears the virus could spread.
While travel and tourism agencies in Bahrain have been ordered to stop any promotions from trips to Iran immediately.
The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has warned that legal action will be taken against those who break the law “who will face tough penalties”.
“The measure is in implementation of the government’s decision to continuously step up efforts aimed protecting citizens and residents’ health and safety,” said BTEA chief executive officer Nader Khalil Almoayyed.
He said that the procedure is also in line with national efforts undertaken by all government departments to combat the novel coronavirus and avert its outbreak.
“There is no compromise when it comes to citizens and residents’ health and safety”, he said.
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