UAE Temporarily Suspends Issuing VISAs To Foreigners In A Bid To Manage The COVID-19 Pandemic

The United Arab Emirates has temporarily suspended issuing VISAs to all foreigners in a bid to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic which has killed close to 5000 people, Emirates News Agency reports. According to the publication, the suspension will be effective on March 17, however, diplomatic passport holders are exempted from this suspension.

The development was communicated in a statement by the Federal Authority for Identity And Citizenship (ICA) which said:

The move comes as part of the precautionary measures taken by the UAE in response to the World Health Organisation’s declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic, a development which reflects the high risks now associated with travel under the current circumstances.

Meanwhile, Namibia has also banned public gatherings and flights to and from Qatar, German and Ethiopia for 30 days due to the pandemic.

More: Emirates News Agency