UAE capital extends virus lockdown another week

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The capital of the United Arab Emirates has extended an emirate-wide lockdown for another week over the coronavirus pandemic.

A municipal worker disinfects the streets as a preventive measure against the spread of COVID-19 (novel cornavirus), as the Burj Khalifa is seen in the background, in downtown Dubai, on March 27, 2020. – The United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is a member, has imposed a March 26 to 29 nightime lockdown to allow for outdoors and public transport sanitation operations, amid the outbreak of the new coronavirus. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP)

Government officials announced late Monday the extension of the lockdown, that has prevented people from leaving their area in Abu Dhabi.

Movement also has been restricted into Abu Dhabi from the rest of the UAE, a federation of seven U.S.-allied sheikhdoms also home to Dubai.

The lockdown comes as the rest of the UAE is trying to reopen its non-oil economy after the pandemic devastated its tourism and airline industry.

There have been nearly 40,000 cases and 280 deaths from COVID-19 in the UAE, with 22,000 of those infected now recovered.

 GSG