The UAE has decided to shut all malls in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
The decision – announced by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management- applies to all commercial centres, shopping malls and fish, meat and vegetable markets. The government has said it will review and re-assess the decision over the next two weeks.
The ruling comes in to effect within the next 48-hours (so Wednesday morning they should be shut).
The decision excludes pharmacies and food outlets (including grocery stores and supermarkets) alongside fish, meat and vegetable markets.
Part of the decision involves restaurants, which are not allowed to serve customers. Instead, they will be limited to at-home delivers only.
The move comes off the back of the UAE closing beaches, to ensure that residents stay at home. The UAE Government has also told residents to stay at home unless it is essential to travel.
It also recommends that residents stay a physical distance of two metres between each other.
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