Saudi Gazette report

ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates on Thursday banned the entry of all its valid residence visa holders, who are currently out of the country, for two weeks, state news agency WAM reported quoting a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The temporary ban, which comes into force at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday (March 19), is part of the precautionary measures taken by the country to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The ministry has requested those holding valid UAE visas, and now staying out of the country, to pursue the following procedures:

— Those who are now staying in their countries of origin have to contact the UAE diplomatic missions in their respective nations for all necessary support and to streamline their return back to the UAE.

— Those who are currently outside the UAE for business considerations have to contact their employers here as well as Emirati diplomatic missions in their host countries for all necessary support to facilitate their return back to the UAE.

— Those who are now on vacation have to contact UAE diplomatic missions in their respective host countries for all necessary support to facilitate their return back to the UAE.

Earlier, the UAE called for any residents abroad to return home, advising a 14-day quarantine period for anyone returning from abroad.

The move is the latest restriction on travel in the UAE. On Wednesday, the country announced it would not be issuing any visas on arrival from March 19.