Dubai and Sharjah Police have deployed drones with loudspeakers to warn residents to stay at home to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
In a video posted by Sharjah Police on its social media, an officer flies a device over crowded junctions and on the city's waterfront.
The messages are broadcast in Arabic, English and Urdu.
“For everyone’s safety, kindly stay home and avoid gatherings. Stay away from everything that puts you and your family at risk," officers said in a recorded message.
In another video, a patrol car parked in a residential area next to a mosque played the same message aloud.
Police chief Maj Gen Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi urged the public to co-operate with the government's request not to leave their homes unless "absolutely necessary".
“We should be united in facing the current situation,” he said.
He said police stand ready to help to support the response to the crisis.
On Tuesday, Col Saeed Al Madhani, director of Ports Police Station in Dubai, said the force had had also adopted use of drones to ensure people were adhering to the new precautions.
"Our drones are equipped with cameras that can photograph events in range, whether during the day or night. They can also carry loudspeakers to broadcast Dubai Police messages and announcements to the public," he said.
