UAE directs Emirati students studying abroad to return home

On Monday, in a circular issued by the UAE’s Ministry of Education and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, the authorities have called upon all Emirati students studying abroad to return home within 48 hours, reported official news agency WAM.

The directive applies to all Emirati students abroad including those on scholarship or those studying using private funds as well.

Students have also been advised to coordinate with the UAE consulates and embassies in their resident foreign countries to facilitate their return.

The precautionary measures are being undertaken as part of the country’s efforts to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Monday, the UAE also said that it had decided to suspended all inbound and outbound passenger flights, and the transit of airline passengers too, with the decision set to take effect 48 hours from the time which the announcement was made.

Read: UAE suspends all inbound and outbound passenger flights for two weeks

On March 17, the UAE had already called upon all citizens travelling outside the country to return due to the growing travel restrictions being imposed worldwide to curb the spread of the coronavirus, calling on Emirati travellers to register on its website to facilitate communication in emergency cases.

Read: UAE urges all its citizens to return home amid rising travel restrictions

Earlier in March, the UAE reported that a 17-year-old Emirati student in the UAE had contracted the virus.

Read: UAE reports new coronavirus case after Emirati student tests positive

All schools and universities within the UAE have been closed and a distance learning programme has been activated for students across the country in public and private educational facilities.

On Monday, the UAE reported 45 new infections in the country, taking the total number of those cases within the country to 198.

Read: Covid-19: UAE reports 45 new cases, total tallies 198