‘We will get through these tough times and survive’
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has shared a message of hope to UAE citizens and residents amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic.
He also conveyed his heartfelt thanks to all those at the forefront of the battle against the spread of coronavirus in the UAE.
“We will get through the ongoing tough times and survive the myriad challenges we and the entire world are now experiencing,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said, according to the official news agency WAM, while addressing fellow sheikhs, officials and ministers.
He went on to say that the “hard times will pass anyway; we might as well put that time to use to get stronger than before”.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed added those in the United Arab Emirates are “lucky” during this time.
“We, in the UAE, are lucky, as our conditions are relatively better thanks to many factors, primarily the availability of qualified human cadres capable of efficiently shouldering the responsibility toward confronting the proliferation of the COVID-19,” he said.
“The UAE is faring well, all thanks to the early efforts and measures in place to face this virus.”
In the address, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi also took it as an opportunity to reassure all Emiratis and residents the UAE is “infinitely able to supply everyone with all the food and medicine they could ever need”.
I’d like to reassure every citizen and resident of the UAE that our Country is infinitely able to supply everyone with all the food and medicine they could ever need. We are well prepared to face any challenge that arises. pic.twitter.com/EA2tzgsRMU
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) March 16, 2020
Furthermore, he asked everyone to arm themselves “with positivity and optimism in the face of all challenges”.
I ask you all to arm yourselves with positivity and optimism in the face of all challenges.Challenges are opportunities for success.Our fathers & forefathers faced many challenges with patience, hope & optimism. Let us today take their lead and make their attitudes our example. pic.twitter.com/Yt7DokACn0
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) March 16, 2020
Precautionary shutdowns taken place in the UAE
There have been many precautionary shutdowns that have taken place in the UAE for the next two to four weeks.
On Monday, the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority and General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments stated all prayers at mosques, churches and temples will temporarily be cancelled for the next four weeks in a bid to contain the spreading of coronavirus, and to safeguard public health of UAE citizens and residents.
Additionally as of yesterday, all Dubai pubs, bars and lounges are to close until the end of March. In a statement from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, all bars, pubs and lounges have been instructed to close effective immediately for the next two weeks.
These announcements came after all events were suspended in Dubai from Sunday 15 March until the end of the month.
Also per the direction for the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, all entertainment destinations, hospitality establishments and wedding halls to “suspend” operations from 15 March until the end of the month.
All gyms, spas and parks have also closed for the next two weeks.
Similar closures have also taken place in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Kuwait.
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