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Statement on COVID-19 from UAE ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement on the 24th February 2020 detailing a travel ban to Iran and Thailand following recent concerns on the new coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreaks in these countries. The statement read: “In light of the UAE’s efforts to monitor and contain the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, and in the interest of general public safety and health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has issued a travel ban, calling on all UAE citizens to not travel to Iran and Thailand at present and up until further notice.”

Furthermore, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has recently changed the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) case definition to include the following countries:

  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • South Korea
  • Iran
  • Japan
  • Singapore
  • Italy
  • Thailand

In light of the above, Dubai Petroleum Establishment and Dubai Supply Authority, as a precautionary measure have, with immediate effect, restricted the movement of personnel in order to protect people and operations. In order to achieve this, all personnel will complete a COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire, and their temperature will be taken (see attachment) prior to entering company operations/facilities. Any personnel answering ‘Yes’, to any of the screening questions, or found to have a temperature above normal will be referred for further evaluation.


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