Important coronavirus advisory for Chinese in UAE

Abu Dhabi - Nine cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the UAE.

China will be among the first countries to develop a vaccine and specific drug to treat the new coronavirus, COVID-19, according to a top Chinese diplomat.
"We are doing everything to safeguard the health of Chinese people and to contribute to global public health. A victory for China is a victory for the world as well," Ni Jian, the Chinese Ambassador to the UAE, told WAM in an exclusive interview.
Also read: 'China among first countries to develop COVID-19 vaccine'
"Up until Tuesday [February 18], more than 12,000 patients in China have been cured, far exceeding the number of mortality."
Also read: 9 coronavirus cases in UAE
The ambassador said the Chinese Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate-General in Dubai are coordinating with the relevant UAE authorities on disease prevention and matters regarding Chinese citizens travelling from China.
"We have maintained close communication with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Health and Prevention, airports, immigration, customs, airlines etc.
Advisory for Chinese expats
The embassy has released several notices, urging Chinese residents and tourists to cooperate with all immigration and quarantine measures requested by the UAE, including medical screening and isolation, keep a close eye on the official information issued by the UAE health authorities, and take all precautionary measures, Jian explained.
Chinese citizens who have recently returned from China or hosted visitors from China are asked to be in home isolation for 14 days, and if they show symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or breathing difficulties, they should immediately see a doctor and explain the situation, the envoy advised.
"They are asked to avoid crowded public places, restrict gatherings and dinner parties, keep good personal hygiene, and implement effective self-prevention measures.
"It is also important to listen to official information instead of rumours, and not to panic. Our embassy and Consulate-General have opened 24-hour consular assistance hotlines, and registered relevant Chinese citizens to follow-up on their health conditions," Jian said.

The Chinese Ministry of Finance has invested $6.7 billion to support the outbreak response.

• Abu Dhabi