The United Arab Emirates will shorten from Saturday by two hours a nightly curfew meant to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the country’s state news agency WAM said on Friday.
The curfew, officially called “the national sanitization program”, will run from 10 pm to 6 am as of Saturday. It currently starts at 8 pm and ends at 6 am.
Food retail outlets, cooperative societies, groceries, supermarkets and pharmacies will be allowed to operate around the clock, reported WAM.
Authorities said the decision was taken to allow citizens and residents more time to meet their essential needs, follow up on emergencies, stimulate economic activity for gradual recovery, and activate trade and ensure the continuity of essential sectors.
Members of the community are also urged to stay at home unless absolutely necessary to go out to get essential food supplies and medicine or for work in vital sectors specified by authorities in previous statements. They should follow health preventive measures.
The UAE has reported a total of 32,532 cases of the disease.
The ministry of health announced that 314 people infected with the virus have fully recovered after receiving the necessary medical care, bringing the total number of recoveries to 16,685.
