Coronavirus: a guide to travel restrictions in the Northern Emirates

Businesses across the UAE have all been affected in some way by the Covid-19 pandemic. But not every emirate has issued the same guidelines as part of efforts to slow the spread of the disease. Responses have varied, with differing travel restrictions in place and separate business sectors asked to close. Here, The National takes a look at how the guidelines vary between the Northern Emirates. Restrictions: Travel restrictions remain in place from 8pm until 6am in Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah as the National Sterilisation Programme continues. Ajman has taken a stricter line and asked the public to restrict movement for the 17 hours between 2.30pm and 7.30am. Beauty Salons and barber shops in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah have been asked to temporarily suspend all services starting from April 7. Recreation Gyms, fitness centres, parks and beaches are shut nationwide. The Ras Al Khaimah government also ordered the closure of winter camps and hobby farms, known as ezba, on March 26. On April 2, the Sharjah government ordered all recreational marine tours, as well as yacht and boat rentals, to suspend their services. Markets All emirates allow supermarkets, grocers and pharmacies to remain open 24 hours a day. Restaurants and cafes throughout the Northern Emirates also remain open for takeaway service. Fish, vegetable and meat markets have shut in Sharjah to the general public. Ras Al Khaimah’s vegetable market was closed on March 26 but was reopened on April 6. The market will allow customers to shop from 7am until 2pm. Fish markets will still accept delivery orders. Umm Al Quwain reopened its fish market on March 5. Sellers and shoppers must wear gloves and masks at all times. The Ajman fish market is open from 9am to 11am and 4pm to 7pm, but only 15 customers may enter at a time and only 30 shops are allowed to operate. Ports and Transport The Port of Fujairah remains operational, as do those in Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah. Bus services in Fujairah are suspended between 8pm and 6am. Taxis will not carry more than two passengers at a time. The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority has started a campaign to deliver medicine for Saqr hospital patients between 1pm and 9pm. Bus services in the emirate have been suspended until at least mid-April. Sharjah bus services are suspended from 8pm until 6am, and the passenger waiting hall is closed. The marine transport station will remain closed until the end of April. The following Sharjah routes are suspended: Route 117 to Abu Dhabi Route 118 to Al Ain Route 211 to the Ajman Industrial Area Route 113 to the Rashidiya Metro Station Route 308 to Jebel Ali Route 309 to Al Quoz, Dubai Route 313 to Dubai Airport Terminal 2 Route 115 to Ras Al Khaimah Hospitality Several hotels in Fujairah have closed temporarily due to low occupancy. In Ras Al Khaimah, 10 hotels were shut for independent disinfection programmes. Four hotels have volunteered accommodation, meals and funds to front-line workers, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said. “All tourism-related entities are being affected by the various travel restrictions imposed to curtail the outbreak, but we remain positive about the industry’s ability to manage this ever-evolving situation,” said the authority’s chief executive, Raki Phillips. Hotels in Umm Al Quwain can provide room service, although all beaches and pools are closed. Ali Salameh, general manager at Flamingo Beach Resort, said the 82-room hotel, which opened 20 years ago, will be forced to close permanently within four months if the situation does not change. “Frankly, we are on hold,” Mr Salameh said. “Maybe the Ministry of Health could rent the hotel as a quarantine premises and that could at least cover us.”

Coronavirus: a guide to travel restrictions in the Northern Emirates

The National takes a look at what is open and when