Coronavirus: newborn flown home to meet UAE father for the first time

Zeina Al Amiri and her mother became trapped in Kuwait due to Covid-19 flight restrictions

Zeina Al Amiri, the youngest Emirati stranded abroad, returns home to her father in the UAE. Courtesy: Wam

A two-month-old baby trapped in Kuwait due to the coronavirus outbreak has finally been able to meet her father for the first time.

Zeina Al Amiri, thought to be the youngest Emirati seeking repatriation, was flown home to Abu Dhabi earlier this week.

Her father, Dr Abdullah Al Amiri, initially left his family in Kuwait as he flew to the United States to complete a training programme.

But following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic he chose to return home to the UAE to help frontline medical staff rather than rejoin his family.

“Two-month-old Zeina, the child of Dr Al Amiri, was born in Kuwait in April,” said a statement on the UAE’s state news agency Wam.

“Zeina's mother and older brother Zayed were based in Kuwait since July 2019 as Dr Al Amiri was completing the Cleveland Clinic training programme in the US.

“However, with the onslaught of Covid-19, Dr Al Amiri returned to the UAE in March, joining the ranks of frontline healthcare workers to combat the spread of the virus.”

In March, commercial flights around the world were suspended as governments took action to limit the spread of the outbreak.

Kuwait continues to have travel restrictions in place but UAE officials worked with embassy staff to help bring Zeina home.

Dr Al Amiri expressed his gratitude for their efforts, reconnecting his family after 10 months apart.

Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation said they were working to ensure the safe return of all Emiratis overseas.