Coronavirus update: Number of cases in the UAE total 21, nurseries to be closed from March 1

The UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) took to Twitter to announce that nurseries across the country will be closed from Sunday, March 1, as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus infection.

Nurseries across the UAE will be closed from March 1.#كورونا#فيروس_كورونا #كوفيد_19 #كوفيد19 #فيروس_كورونا_الجديد @mohapuae @NCEMAUAE pic.twitter.com/McyjPjc3zf

— وزارة التربية (@MOEducationUAE) February 29, 2020

In addition, the ministry confirmed that all internal and external school trips and activities will also be suspended.

“As part of the precautionary and preventive measures taken to reduce the possibility of transmission of Covid 19 virus, the Ministry of Education decides to suspend all internal and external school activities and trips” – the ministry’s tweet read.

Meanwhile, Dubai’s education regulator, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), also tweeted that all internal and external gatherings at private schools and universities have been cancelled, including camps, sports and trips.

To make sure everyone in Dubai stays safe, all internal & external gatherings at private schools & universities in Dubai have been cancelled. This includes camps, sports, & trips. This is a precautionary action only. Safety is always our top priority.

— KHDA (@KHDA) February 29, 2020

KHDA also refuted fake tweets making the rounds, claiming that schools across Dubai will be closed March 1 onwards. It further advised all to avoid sharing messages without prior verification.

The UAE has confirmed a total of 21 Covid-19 cases, including five which have fully recovered, local media reported.

Read more: UAE reports new cases of coronavirus, UAE Tour cancelled after two technical staff test positive

No coronavirus infection was found among cyclists in the UAE Tour while the two infected individuals were reportedly technicians of the accompanying teams.

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH-AD) confirmed that according to laboratory test results, the 167 quarantined contacts of the two newly infected individuals announced on Thursday have tested negative of the virus, official news agency WAM reported.