The UAE imposed extensive restrictions on entering the country to contain the outbreak of the Coronavirus.


According to Reuters, the UAE prevented residents currently abroad from returning for at least two weeks and suspended the issuance of new work permits and visas upon arrival.


The UAE, a major transit hub and tourism and business center in the region, has banned travel of its citizens abroad and will require any arrivals from abroad to quarantine them for two weeks.


The measures that will come into effect on Thursday are the latest in a series of exceptional measures taken by Gulf countries to combat the outbreak, including the cancellation of Umrah in Saudi Arabia and the closure of mosques, shopping centers and restaurants across the region.


The committee responsible for the Expo 2020 Dubai held a remote meeting on Wednesday, in the presence of representatives of the countries participating in this international event, to consult on the impact of the Corona virus on their preparations. The UAE hopes to boost its economy with this major exhibition, which kicks off in October. A statement said that the committee will meet again in the coming weeks to assess the situation.


The UAE Central Bank said late on Wednesday that it encouraged the country's population to use online banking activities to stop the spread of the Corona virus.


The central bank added in a statement that the banking operations continue normally in the country.