Dubai Police launch rapid-response service for elderly residents in the emirate

It will provide essential support and services including medical aid, disinfection and sanitisation services at their residences

by Varun Godinho

March 30, 2020

Dubai Police, along with the Community Development Authority (CDA), has launched a ‘Secure Together’ rapid-response service for elderly citizens and residents within the emirate, reported official news agency WAM.

The new service is part of the initiatives to control the spread of the Covid-19 virus and to protect senior citizens who are considered vulnerable to the pandemic which has already claimed over 34,600 lives globally.

By way of the service, the Dubai Police’s command and control centres will prioritise requests received from seniors with regards to essential support and services including medical aid, disinfection and sanitisation services at their residences.

.⁦@DubaiPoliceHQ⁩, in cooperation with the Community Development Authority (CDA), has launched ‘Secure Together’, a community-centered service that offers rapid response to requests for assistance from the elderly across Dubai. pic.twitter.com/YcGaama2sv

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 29, 2020

An updated database of the residential locations of the elderly within the emirate has also been developed to help authorities respond rapidly to urgent requests and emergencies, and to provide them with social support and care.

“The initiative seeks to respond to their urgent requirements in this critical period during which we have an even greater responsibility to take care of this vulnerable segment of society. Serving the community and working constantly to ensure the safety and well being of people are some of Dubai Police’s key duties. We will spare no effort to fulfill these responsibilities,” said Lieutenant-General Abdullah Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police and Commissioner General of the Citizen Services Pillar of Dubai Council.

The authorities in the UAE have already cautioned residents across the country to stay home and to venture out only if necessary.

It has also outlined the fines for those who do not adhere to its directives to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Read: Covid-19 spread: UAE issues updated list of fines for violations

A national sterilisation programme is currently underway between 8pm and 6am daily until the morning of April 5 across the UAE, during which it is prohibited for anyone other than those working in vital sectors and emergency medical personnel to venture outside of their homes.

The UAE reported 102 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 570. In addition, it also reported one new death and three recoveries.

Read: Covid-19: UAE reports 102 new cases, one death

The country has also launched a Covid-19 tracker website to provide real-time updates regarding the virus within the country.

Read: UAE’s Covid-19 tracker website provides live updates regarding the virus

On Monday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed ordered the establishment of 10 new drive-through Covid-19 testing centres across the UAE over the next 10 days. The first of such facilities, which is capable of testing patients in five minutes and delivering results in six hours, is already operational in Abu Dhabi.

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