The UAE has announced it will suspend issuance of all entry visas.
The move will be effective from March 17 but does not apply to anyone who has already been granted a visa before that date, according to our sister title Arabian Business.
In a statement from state news agency WAM, the Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship said the move was taken as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus and is in response to the World Health Organisation declaring the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The authority added that the decision will be effective until countries of departure activate a mechanism for medical screening of passengers as an additional measure.
“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 added.
As of Saturday, the UAE had recorded a total of 85 infections.
