Ministry confirms UAE is free of coronavirus

Dubai - The ministry is closely following up on the situation to ensure the health and safety of everyone.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) has reaffirmed that the UAE is completely free of the mysterious virus emerging in China (coronavirus).
The National Committee for International Health Regulations and the Control of Pandemics stated that the UAE has an effective integrated system and plans for emergency and crisis to address public health risks and that the country is in constant touch with the World Health Organization (WHO) to find out the latest updates, recommendations and procedures taken in this matter.
The committee made this announcement during Wednesday's meeting chaired by the ministry in the presence of strategic partners including the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, the General Authority of Ports, Borders and Free Zones Security, UAE Airports and other bodies.
"The measures taken by the UAE in such cases are enough to protect the country against coronavirus. Therefore, the committee would like to reassure the public that the detected cases all around the world are still limited in spread, compared to other types of epidemics," it said in a statement, adding that the health situation poses no grounds for concern and that the ministry is closely following up on the situation to ensure the health and safety of everyone.
The committee emphasised that the precautionary measures applied at the UAE's entry points were reviewed to ensure that best global practices are followed, and to avoid the spread of any infectious diseases. It was also agreed to publish awareness leaflets for people coming to the country in different languages.
The meeting highlighted the necessity to educate all health facilities in the country and approved the setting up of a national media committee to carry out awareness campaigns inside the country.
The committee also stressed that health security and risk prevention and pandemics is a national priority in the UAE and falls in line with its strategy to protect society from diseases through strengthening the international health regulations and applying them in the UAE.
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