UAE combats coronavirus: Life returns to normal in Dubai's Naif district

Standing outside a makeshift kiosk that sells leather shoes, wallets, and sunglasses in Deira's Naif District, 28-year-old Anwar Mohammed dusted away a layer of sand that had settled over his wares.

"My home is located right above my shop. I live with eight roommates, and we have all been inside our home for one month and three days during the 24-hour restriction. We were served good food twice a day. It was mostly biryani, some fruits, and cold drinks. It was almost like a long holiday- nothing to complain about" laughed Anwar.

Like Anwar, Naif residents have said they only have gratitude for Dubai authorities. "Initially we were very scared. But every need of ours was taken care of. I am glad things are getting back to normal," said Mohammed Arshad, a garments store salesman.

'Three cheers for UAE'

After a month-long intense sterilization programme that kept all its residents indoors for 24- hours for a month and three days, Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announced the easing of restrictions on movement in Naif and Al Ras areas on Sunday, April 26.

On Sunday night, when Dubai Police officials lifted the barricades that restricted movement from Al Khaleej Road into Naif District, the entire district erupted in cheers. "When I looked outside the window, I saw several Dubai Police cars and the Dubai Mounted Police force come down the street. That's when the celebrations began," said Arshad.

Despite having spent most of their lives in the UAE, Naif in particular, the residents said what they witnessed the night before was unlike they had ever seen before.

"It was like a festival here last night. We all came out and celebrated. We cheered for Dubai Police, doctors, nurses, and social workers who supplied us with free food. We chanted - UAE, UAE, UAE," said Mohammed Khalid, a restaurant manager on Naif road.

The committee said it decided to reduce the 24-hour controls on movement as no new cases were recorded in Naif and Al Ras for the past two days. A total of 6,000 tests were conducted on residents in the area.

Life goes on as normal

Wearing face masks and gloves may have become the norm for these residents. On Monday, residents, shop vendors, and daily wage workers spilled out of their homes in Dubai's historic and busiest economic district in a bid to go back to their old routines. All of them wore protective masks, and almost all are aware that the war against the Covid-19 is far from over. Safety and hygiene posters were stuck everywhere, and awareness messages were announced after each prayer call from the Al Zarooni Mosque.

Junaid Khader, an electronics store proprietor said, "We were given everything we needed. Food was served on time by KMCC volunteers twice and day, and tests were done by medical professionals. It was a long break for many of us."

Fifty-three-year-old daily wage cart pusher from Pakistan Ashraf Mohammed said, "I got here about two months ago on a visit visa. I was really worried about my survival, but I got good food, medicines, and everything I needed every day. I am so grateful for everything."

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com 

Dhanusha Gokulan

Originally from India, Dhanusha Gokulan has been working as a journalist for 10 years. She has a keen interest in writing about issues that plague the common person, and will never turn down a human interest story. She completed her Bachelor in Arts in Journalism, Economics, and English Literature from Mangalore University in 2008. In her spare time, she dabbles with some singing/songwriting, loves travelling, and Audible is her favourite mobile application. Tweet at her @wordjunkie88