DUBAI Dubai enforced the UAE’s first full lockdownonadistricthousingtheemirate’s famous gold and spice markets on Tuesday,to disinfectthe normally bustlingtourist and trade area as part of efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus. The United Arab Emirates has extended a daily overnight curfew for a nationwide disinfection drive to April 5, but Dubai announced late on Monday that a 24-hour curfew would be imposed on Al Ras district for two weeks starting Tuesday. “I am gladthey are doingthis because itis for our protection,” said one ricetrader whoworksinAlRas but residesin Sharjah emirate. The trader, who declined to be named, told Reuters he is now conducting his business online. Dubai closed the main road entrances toAl Ras and halted public transport to the area, which abuts Dubai Creek, where dhow have been banned fromtransporting goods between Dubai and Iran, a regional epicentre for the virus. Dubai Health Authority will provide essential suppliestoAlRas residents,Dubai Media Office tweeted. The UAE has confirmed 611 coronavirus cases, with five deaths. The total number of infections in the sixGulfArab states stands atmorethan 3,700, with 18 deaths. TheUAE plansto open drive-thrutesting centres across the country, the region’s business and tourism hub, after first was openedlastweekinthecapital,AbuDhabi. “We will never hesitate to take any measures against any potential threat to people’s life. At the same time, we won’t let the development grind to a halt,” Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed binZayedal-Nayhan,thecountry’s de facto ruler, said in comments carried on state media. In Kuwait, Health Minister Basil alSabah was quoted on Tuesday as saying a clearer picturewould emerge by early June on the success of containment efforts. Kuwait was the first Gulf state to halt passenger flights and impose a partial curfew. “If infection numbers stabilise, there may be a gradual easing of current measures,” he told Al Rai newspaper. “But if the average rate of transmission increases then … I do not rule out the cabinet enforcinga fullcurfew.” Kuwait has recorded 266 infections. Its larger neighbour, Saudi Arabia, has passed 1,400,witheight deaths. Saudi media posted a video showing security forces deployedina sealed-off districtinMakkah.The kingdom hasextended its first lockdown, in the eastern Qatif region, to several districts in some main cities and imposed a partial nationwide curfew.—AFP
