Table 1.
The proactive measures taken by the UAE leadership and NCEMA to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease.
| Date | Measures taken |
|---|---|
| 8/3/2020 | Closure of all schools and higher education institutions. |
| 15/3/2020 | Remote working was activated for two wk for select categories of public sector employees in the federal authorities. |
| 17/3/2020 | Retailers reduced opening hours from midday to 8pm only - as opposed to their regular 10am to 10pm timings |
| 22/3/2020 | Students began virtual classes. |
| 24/3/2020 | Sheik Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council launched the Day for Dubai app, as part of the 'Your City Needs You' campaign. The initiative called on Emiratis and expats alike to help the country's various teams working to protect the community. |
| 25/3/2020 | - All fresh food markets and commercial centers, including shopping malls, directed to close for two wk. Pharmacies, and food retail outlets (including cooperative societies, groceries, and supermarkets) were allowed to stay open. Restaurants were directed to limit their services to deliveries only. - The National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management and the Civil Aviation Authority announced the suspension of all inbound and outbound passenger flights and the transit of airline passengers in the UAE for two wk. - Private companies and commercial establishments implemented remote-work system for 80 per cent of their workforce, as per government directives. - Prohibition of public gatherings until further notice. |
| 26/3/2020 | - UAE began a nationwide disinfection program to sanitize the country. - An online permit system was launched in Dubai, through which residents could request permission to leave their homes for essential work or purposes. Abu Dhabi and Sharjah also followed by calling on residents to apply for permits if they wanted to step out of their homes. |
| 27/3/2020 | Dubai Police activated radars to monitor motorists violating quarantine measures during the National Sterilization Program. |
| 28/3/2020 | SEHA launches first drive-through screening for COVID-19 at Zayed Sports City. |
| 1/4/2020 | The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization issued a new remote work policy for private businesses. Under the policy, office-based workers must be limited to 30 per cent of the company's workforce. |
| 4/4/2020 | Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, in coordination with the Command and Control Center for Combating COVID-19 announce a two-wk 24-h sterilization campaign. Residents were directed to wear face masks and gloves at all times outside the home, and follow social distancing measures. Authorities noted they would enforce strict restrictions on residents' movements during this time. |
| 5/4/2020 | - 'Early Leave' initiative launched to enable all residents in the private sector who wish to return to their home countries to do so. - Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai also suspended metro, tram, and intercity bus operations until further notice. |
| 7/4/2020 | - Dubai Economy announced that all commercial activities except for vital and support sectors, would remain closed until further notice. - The Dubai Health Authority announced it has opened its first drive-through Covid-19 testing center at the Al Nasr Club for the public. |
| 9/4/2020 | SEHA opens 13 additional drive-through COVID-19 testing centers. |
| 6/2020 | Gradual reopening of UAE Economy |
| 16/6/2020 | MOHAP hosts world's first Phase III clinical trials of an inactivated vaccine to combat COVID-19 |
| 16/9/2020 | UAE authorizes emergency use of COVID-19 vaccine for frontline health workers |
| 14/12/2020 | Vaccination launched for the residents to get free vaccination |
| 9/1/2021 | More than 1 million people vaccinated |
| 17/3/2021 | More than 50 % of the UAE population vaccinated |
| 29/3/2021 | Abu Dhabi launched new COVID-19 vaccine plant with China's Sinopharm to manufacture inactivated Sinopharm vaccine in the UAE (Hayat-Vax) |
| 29/5/2021 | Free Sinopharm vaccine booster dose to those eligible |
| 2/8/2021 | UAE approves Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for children 3-17 years |
| 3/8/2021 | UAE among first countries of the world to receive Sotrovimab medicine for treatment of COVID-19 |
| 29/8/2021 | Reopening of schools with full capacity. |
| 30/8/2021 | Reduction in prices of COVID-19 tests |
| 31/8/2021 | - COVID-19 infections down by 62% compared to January 2021 - More than 76% of the population fully vaccinated |