The Dubai emirate restricted curfew movement permits on Thursday as the number of reported infections in the Gulf region rose with increased testing.
Gulf Arab states have registered an increase in cases among low-wage migrant workers in overcrowded housing despite measures to combat the disease, including halting passenger flights, imposing curfews and closing most public venues.
Dubai, which had extended a UAE-wide nightly curfew into a 24-hour one, reduced the issuance of permits for essential movement. Dubai police said permits for grocery shopping would only be issued once every three days and those for medical visits would be granted for emergencies only.
The UAE capital Abu Dhabi said on Thursday it had set up free coronavirus testing clinics in the industrial area of Mussafah, where many low-income workers live and work. “Testing will be available to everyone, including those who do not have a valid residence visa,” the government media office tweeted.
Other Gulf states have also urged expatriate laborers to avail themselves of free testing clinics.
The six Gulf Arab states have recorded more than 20,000 cases and over 130 deaths from the COVID-19 lung disease caused by the coronavirus. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have the largest infection counts.
