Coronavirus: Sheikh Mohammed says national priorities must be reviewed as Covid-19 meeting gets under way

The UAE government is holding a three-day remote meeting to assess the country's post Covid-19 strategy

A medical worker puts away a Covid-19 swab test at one of the Mussaffah testing facilities. Victor Besa / The National

An Abu Dhabi resident goes for a jog along the Corniche in the capital as the government eases movement restrictions. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi residents wear mandatory masks as they walk in the city. Victor Besa / The National

Safety instructions are on display outside Al Awir fruit and vegetable market in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A person wearing protective face mask and covering his face with laptop bag on a hot day in Bur Dubai area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Indian citizens queue to check in at the Dubai International Airport before leaving the UAE on a flight back to their home country on May 7. Inbound flights for UAE residents have also begun operating from select cities. Karim Sahim / AFP 

Passengers from an Emirates flight from London queue before being checked by health workers at Dubai International Airport on May 8. Karim Sahib / AFP

Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi has reopened to the public but with safety measures in place to protect shoppers and staff from contracting Covid-19. Victor Besa / The National

Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi has reopened to the public from 12pm to 9pm. Measures remain in place to keep shoppers and staff safe. Victor Besa / The National

Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi will be open from midday to 9pm. Supermarkets and pharmacies will be open from 9am to midnight. Victor Besa / The National

Workers pass by Al Mina vegetables and fruits market in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A security guard is given a free Covid-19 test at one of the Mussaffah testing centres. Victor Besa / The National

Workers line up to receive a coronavirus test at the Mussaffah industrial area in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said the UAE's "national priorities" must be assessed, as a three-day meeting to help shape a post Covid-19 action plan got under way on Sunday.

The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai is leading the remote meeting of the government, gathering ministers, secretaries-general of executive councils and officials from more than 100 federal government and local authorities and international experts.

Sheikh Mohammed has called for a nationwide strategy to be developed to boost economic activity and emergency plans be drawn up to increase the productivity and competitiveness of the medical sector once the country emerges from the pandemic.

He stressed the importance of enlisting the support of local, regional and international experts to help deliver solutions to help the UAE make a robust recovery from the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.

"New teams are required to work faster, more thoroughly and more responsively to the fast-changing daily developments," Sheikh Mohammed said.

"Our national priorities need to be reviewed to cope with the post-Covid-19 world. Our financial and human resources need to be redirected to strengthen our medical, food and economic security through new programmes and projects."

Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, said the government was ready to address the challenges brought by Covid-19.

The meeting – which will continue until Tuesday –  is aimed at drafting a framework for a strategy comprising working plans and policies.

The meeting focused on six key sectors: health, the economy, food security, education, the community and the government.