Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Public transport will grind to a halt in the United Arab Emirates during this weekend as the authorities are launching a nationwide sterilization campaign of public facilities, the state news agency WAM reported on Wednesday night quoting a statement from the Health Ministry.

The campaign, which is being carried out by the Ministry of Health and the Interior Ministry in coordination with other competent and relevant authorities in the country, will begin at 8 p.m. on Thursday (March 26) and end at 6 a.m. on Sunday (March 29).

“Throughout the campaign period, traffic and public movement would be restricted, and public transportation and metro service would remain suspended,” the ministry statement added.

“The Ministries of Health and Interior call upon the public to remain in their homes throughout the period of the national sterilization program, and not to go out except to purchase food and medicine requirements or for health necessity or work in the vital sectors which include: energy, communications, health, education, security, police, military, postal services, shipping, pharmaceuticals, the water and food sector, civil aviation, airports, passports, the financial and banking sector, government media and the services sector, which includes gas stations and construction projects.”

The authorities will enforce the movement restriction by checking and verifying ID cards and business cards, the ministries said in a statement,

Stressing that all food-selling outlets as well as pharmacies will continue to operate 24/7, the ministries called upon all members of society to fully comply with this decision.