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Look: When UAE residents stayed home to fight Covid spread 5 years ago
Authorities, community leaders, personalities, and the media –Khaleej Times included– called on everyone to stay positive—not Covid-positive
- PUBLISHED: Fri 21 Mar 2025, 9:12 AM
If we are to be asked – ‘Where were you on March 21, 2020? – many of us, UAE residents, would answer: home.
It was this day, five years ago, when the UAE launched a nationwide #StayHome campaign urging everyone not to step out of their homes unless for an emergency. The stringent measure was one of the initiatives launched by the government to help combat the spread of Covid-19, which disrupted everyone across the world.
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Streets were deserted; beaches, parks, pools, cinemas, and gyms across the country were closed. Almost every nook and cranny of urban centres, commercial and residential areas, schools, and offices were disinfected. We learned a pair of new words: social distancing.
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As reported by Khaleej Times, the #StayHome campaign came after the UAE confirmed 13 fresh cases of Covid-19, taking the total number of cases to 153 in the country that day.
In the days after March 21, 2020, health officials urged people to maintain a distance of at least one metre from one another. Work from home for public and private sector workers were implemented.
New guidelines were issued by authorities mandating restaurants and cafes to accept only 20 per cent of their seating capacity for dine-in to ensure that tables are set at least two metres apart. Those working in eateries, supermarkets, and malls took extra care while serving customers.
Stay clean
Extraordinary times called for extraordinary measures. There was no compromise on safety and hygiene. Establishments went “above and beyond” the usual hygiene standards. Tables, doors, counters, chairs and floors were frequently cleaned frequently. Home deliveries became constant.
It was also a time when more than a million students in public and private schools held online classes. This was done after the Ministry of Education trained more than 25,000 government school teachers and administrators, as well as 9,200 private school teachers and principals in creating virtual learning communities.
Residents were not seen on the streets but they never lost touch with friends and family. Virtual socialising became the norm. Everyone was on video chat and wished each other good health and happiness in those trying times. “It felt really nice,” noted a Dubai resident.
Stay positive
Authorities, community leaders, personalities, and the media — Khaleej Times included — called on everyone to stay positive (not Covid positive) but in their attitude and personality.
It was a very challenging and uncertain time – make no mistake about it – but with the benefit of today’s hindsight, it can be said UAE residents made it because they fought back and did not let helplessness overcome them. New routines were made, and despite the challenges, hope still prevailed.
It was also a time that gave many an opportunity to pick up hobbies and reconnect with their families and friends.
Thanweeruddin Mohammad oversees KT research and photo desk. Aside from his daily activities in the newsroom, he is also a fitness enthusiast who loves playing cricket and other outdoor games.