Abu Dhabi Hotels on Quarantine as Two Test Positive for Coronavirus

UAE Tour canceled, dozens quarantined, and Abu Dhabi hotels on lockdown after two participants tested positive for coronavirus.

Posted on

28 February 2020

| Last updated on 1 March 2020

Abu Dhabi Hotels on Quarantine as Two Test Positive for Coronavirus

Total cases of coronavirus in the UAE now 21, authorities confirmed.

The UAE Tour was cancelled early on Friday 28th February after two team technicians tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the UAE to 21.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Health has also placed a quarantine lockdown on two hotels in Yas Island where the UAE Tour cyclists, teams, and visitors are staying, as a precautionary measure to ensure the health and safety of residents and visitors.

612 participants at the UAE Tour came into contact with the patients and have been examined. 450 were confirmed clear of the virus while results for 162 people are still in process.

Abdul Rahman Bin Mohammad Al Owais, the UAE Minister of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), said that authorities are carefully monitoring and responding to the situation as per the standards and guidelines given by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The race's participants, administrative staff, and organisers will be examined through the continuous periodic screening being conducted, and all needed procedures, including quarantine measures, will be taken.

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A post shared by UAE Tour Official (@theuaetourofficial) on Feb 5, 2020 at 2:53am PST

The two Italian crew technicians are currently receiving proper healthcare and are being closely examined.

In a press conference with the UAE Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, other efforts were put into action to limit the spread of coronavirus in the UAE.

This includes temporarily closing all UAE nurseries for two weeks, and canceling all Dubai school and university events that involve large public gatherings such as field trips, sports events, internal events, and other excursions.

There were 181 UAE students present at the cycling event, all of whom are being kept at home and monitored for two weeks as a health precaution, making sure that they are free of coronavirus symptoms.

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"All necessary preventive measures have been taken to counter the spread of the virus outbreak, including installing thermal detectors in the air, sea and land ports along with qualified medical teams around the clock, and providing necessary medical equipment for laboratory tests," Al Owais added.