Coronavirus: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed briefed via video conference

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi highlighted the efforts of the Emiratis working tirelessly for their country

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, centre, delivers a speech about the UAE’s coronavirus response, during a Sea Palace barza. All photos by Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Obaid Al Shamsi, Director General of the National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management Authority briefs the Sea Palace barza.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State, Chairman of Masdar and CEO of ADNOC Group, Ahmed Al Zaabi, UAE Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs and other guests, attend a Sea Palace barza which focused on the UAE’s coronavirus response.

Sheikh Mohamed said that safety in the UAE was "paramount priority".

Hessa Buhumaid, UAE Minister of Community Development and Jameela Al Muhairi, UAE Minister of State for Public Education Affairs, attend a Sea Palace barza.

Guests attend a Sea Palace barza.

Guests attend a Sea Palace barza.

Sheikh Mohamed said we won't hesitate to take any further precautionary steps if necessity arises over the coming period.

Sheikh Mohamed said the role the media played in battling the virus was key. He called on outlets to raise awareness and address rumours and fake news.

Sheikh Mohamed said that in such situations, people had to adapt their normal ways of life.

Our traditions are very dear to us but we must be practical during these times," Sheikh Mohamed said.

Hussain Al Hammadi, UAE Minister of Education, speaks about the UAE’s Covid-19 response.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed receives a briefing via video conference from the Covid-19 working group at the headquarters of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) (not shown).

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, during a briefing via video conference with the Covid-19 working group at the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed and Ali Saeed Al Neyadi receive a briefing via video conference call from the Covid19 working group

Members of the Covid19 working group: Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, left; Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, centre; and Obaid Rashid Al Hassan Al Shamsi, director general of NCEMA, right, brief Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, via video conference from the headquarters of NCEMA

Members of the Covid19 working group brief Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed via video conference

Members of the Covid19 working group brief Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed via video conference from the headquarters of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE was today briefed on the country’s efforts in combating the coronavirus outbreak.

“Today we were briefed by the Covid-19 working group via video conference. We commend the immense efforts of the Emiratis working tirelessly for their country. This team work and cooperation is at the core of our national strategy. God protect the UAE and the entire world,” said Sheikh Mohamed on Twitter.

Today, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed also led a video conference call as Dubai Executive Council members discussed the emirate's efforts to combat coronavirus.

The Crown Prince of Dubai chaired a remote meeting of the council on Monday at which he stressed his confidence in measures adopted to contain the spread of the pandemic.

Sheikh Hamdan was joined in the hi-tech meeting by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed, chairman of the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai, and other council representatives.

Sheikh Hamdan said navigating the challenges brought up by the current global climate required a collaborative spirit and an understanding of the need to make temporary changes to lifestyle.

He thanked government and private sector organisations for helping to safeguard the health of the public.

The council discussed the importance of using remote working systems to ensure services offered to residents are not disrupted.

Dubai announced on Thursday it was introducing a raft of measures to allow federal staff to carry out duties away from the office if necessary.

Certain staff including pregnant women, elderly members of the workforce and people with disabilities will be allowed to work remotely under the scheme.

Flexible working hours will be offered to women who have children in school at Grade 9 or below.

Staff will be encouraged to hold meetings via means such as video conferencing and over the phone rather than in person, while business travel is also to be evaluated.