Covid-19: UAE extends suspension of entry for expat residents by two more weeks

The UAE has extended the suspension of entry for all foreign nationals holding valid UAE residence visas by two more weeks, it was announced on Thursday.

The two-week period, which begins on Thursday, April 2, could be renewed further, depending on the coronavirus situation, official news agency WAM reported.

The UAE stopped the entry of all its valid visa holders, including residents abroad, for a renewable period of two weeks, beginning at 12pm on Thursday, March 19, as a means to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has requested those holding valid UAE visas and now staying abroad, to register in the ‘Tawajudi for Residents” service which has been recently launched through its website to facilitate their safe return to the UAE in emergency situations.

Read: UAE launches hotline for residents who are overseas following entry suspension

The UAE has also suspended most flights in and out of the country and has stopped issuing visas on arrival for all nationalities, except for diplomatic passport holders.

Read: UAE to suspend visas on arrival from March 19 

The UAE announced 210 new cases of Covid-19 in the country on Thursday, to take the total tally in the country to 1,024.

While eight people have died, a total of 96 patients have recovered so far.

Read: UAE announces 210 new Covid-19 cases, total now at 1,024