UAE petrol prices to fall more than 10 per cent in April

Global oil prices have hit 18-year lows during March

The main stretch of Sheikh Zayed Road near Downtown Dubai. Hundreds of thousands of vehicles would usually be on the roads on a Thursday night. EPA

Defence Roundabout stands empty on Thursday night after the authorities ordered a 8pm to 6am curfew to allow for street cleaning. The curfew lifts during the day - but only absolutely essential travel is permitted. EPA

The Internet City area usually a hive of activity. AFP

A handful of cars on the road ahead of the curfew. Only key workers including medical staff and supermarket assistants are allowed to travel. AFP

Pedestrian and cycling paths stand empty after people rushed home ahead the curfew. Business Central Towers near Media City can be seen on the right. AFP

Stay home orders are likely to last for weeks as the government works to drive down the number of new cases. AFP

Dubai Metro will undergo deep cleaning this weekend. AFP

Once reopened, trains will run reduced numbers of passengers - about 170 down from a capacity of 650. AFP

Dusit Thani hotel with the lights of Downtown in the background. EPA

Despite road closures, restaurants and supermarkets will continue to deliver food to homes. EPA

A metro train runs near Ibn Battuta Mall shortly before the curfew. Pawan Singh / The National

Umm Suqeim Road with Burj Al Arab in the background. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Fuel Price Committee in the UAE said motorists will pay more than 10 per cent less at the pumps in April.

While the roads have been largely empty across the country over the past week due to coronavirus restrictions that require residents to stay at home, it will come as a financial relief to those who still need to make their way to work by vehicle.

It is unclear as to how long the restrictions on movement will stay in place as they are under review.

Here is the breakdown of prices per litre:

• Super 98: Dh1.91 – down from Dh2.16 in March

• Special 95: Dh1.80 – down from Dh2.04 in March

• Diesel: Dh2.06 – down from Dh2.25 in March

Petrol prices in the UAE were liberalised in August 2015 to allow them to with the market.

The cost of filling up at the pumps fell 4 per cent in March after two months of flat prices.

Motoring costs for drivers in Abu Dhabi were due to rise at the end of March with the introduction of the road-toll charges, but an exemption was brought in as part of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council's economic stimulus package aimed at offsetting the financial effects of Covid-19.

Meanwhile, global oil prices fell dramatically during March amid the initial spread of the virus.

They have lost more than 60 per cent of their value from January when Brent was trading at $69 (Dh253.43) a barrel.

Brent was trading 5.8 per cent lower on Monday morning, down $1.45 to $23.48 per barrel, after earlier dropping to $23.03, the lowest since November 2002.

West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell as far as $19.92, near an 18-year low hit earlier this month.

The virus outbreak is set to create a supply-demand imbalance as planes stay grounded and governments order workers not to travel.

During the early part of the month, Opec+ failed to reach agreement with other producers, including Russia, to curb oil production to support prices.