Coronavirus: Dubai to disinfect dozens of streets to prevent Covid-19 spread

Residents of the emirate must stay off the streets as they are sterilised

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Reporter: N/A: A gentleman wears a mask while crossing a road in Jumeriah. Thursday, March 19th, 2020. Jumeriah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Dubai Municipality began an 11-day disinfection programme on Friday to sterilise all the streets and roads in the emirate, amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

The campaign began on Al Rigga Street, under the supervision and presence of officials and leaders, and will stretch over at least 95 roads.

The city's residents have been asked to stay off the streets while the deep clean takes place.

"The Municipality calls upon the general public not to gather at work sites during disinfection operations, to allow the specialised work team to carry out its tasks in the interest of public safety," Dubai Municipality said in a statement.

Dubai disinfects streets

Dubai disinfects streets

Teams "specialised in sanitisation and disinfection" will use spraying machines on trucks or cars, a disinfectant fogging machine, a steam cleaning machine and a disinfectant sprayer compressed machine to sterilise the roads.

It is just the latest effort clean-up drive launched by authorities across the Emirates to bolster public health and curb the spread of coronavirus.

Dubai taxi drivers have been instructed to clean handles and doors with sanitiser between trips.

Vehicles are also undergoing regular deep cleaning, while passengers will be asked to sit in rear seats to provide distance.

Abu Dhabi buses and taxis are also undergoing deep cleans every day as part of the wide-ranging safety measures.

Buses and taxis are thoroughly wiped down before and after use and taxi drivers must sanitise their cars after each journey.

Bus shelters are to be cleaned every two hours, according to Abu Dhabi Government Media Office.

A "sterilisation programme" has been caried out at all educational facilities will be carried out in all schools, buses and universities, the Ministry of Education said

Parks in Abu Dhabi were closed temporarily earlier in the month to allow for deep cleaning operations to take place.

“The Department of Municipalities and Transport announces the reopening of public parks after taking preventive sterilisation and disinfection measures to safeguard the health of [the community],” said the authority.

Some venues have introduced 24-hour cleaning rotas and are disinfecting items such as shopping trolleys, lift buttons and handrails in malls.

Which roads will be sterilised?