Combating coronavirus: Seniors, kids must strictly #StayHome in UAE

Even as the UAE has partially eased lockdown restrictions imposed more than a month ago to combat the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), the government is making sure that the more vulnerable sections of the society - senior citizens and children - play it safe and stay at home to protect themselves against Covid-19.

On Tuesday, May 5, the UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) in a joint announcement stated that people over the age of 60 and children younger than 12 are prohibited from entering shopping malls, cooperative societies, and supermarkets. They are also prohibited from entering retail stores located outside shopping centres. The directive comes as part of the ministry's precautionary measures and restrictions governing the re-opening of shopping malls and commercial centres in the UAE.

Doctors said children and elderly are the most "at-risk" groups from the coronavirus due to their weaker immune systems and therefore are more vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Dr Manisha Gupta, General Practitioner, Right Health in Dubai Investment Park, said: "Both the age groups - children and the elderly - need to take extra precautions in order to remain safe as their susceptibility to get infected is high owing to the weak immunity and less resistance to Covid-19. Closed spaces like malls and retail stores can harbor the infection due to closed and controlled environment despite social distancing being maintained. Not only are they prone to infection but also the severity of disease, the recovery time and the prognosis of disease is much worse."

Calling these restrictions on elderly and children crucial at this point of time, Dr Arun Goyal, Medical Director at RAK Hospital, said that although there is an increased risk for children, the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions have been hit the hardest hit:

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF SENIORS AMID PANDEMIC

>Elders should remain at home and avoid crowded places and gatherings

>Family members living with elderly people must wash their hands and keep their homes clean at all times

>Maintain social distance from elders and avoid kissing them

>Make sure they eat healthy and get enough sleep

>If they require doctor visits, their appointments should be conducted through a virtual doctor consultation

>If elderly family members do not live with family, members should check on them through calls and social media

>If they are staying alone, assign a family member to shop for their necessities

saman@khaleejtimes.com