Coronavirus: Dubai Police remind residents to stay home

The force sent out an alert about safety measures being implemented this weekend

A cleaning campaign will be in operation across the Emirates this weekend. Chris Whiteoak/The National

Police in Dubai have sent out an alert to residents to remind them to stay at home while a major cleaning operation is carried out this weekend.

The force sent a message - accompanied by a repeated beeping sound - to phones on Thursday evening to call on the community to come together in the fight against Covid-19.

The desterilisation drive will run daily from 8pm until 6am, from Thursday evening through to Sunday morning.

During that time, public transport across the country will halt and roads will be closed so they can be extensively sprayed.

Dubai Metro and public transport services will close for much of the weekend.

Motorists were told not to use their cars on the streets unless absolutely essential. Anyone leaving their homes for any reason must carry their Emirates ID and should expect to be stopped by police.