The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) announced, in a joint statement, that people older than 60 years and children under 12 must avoid shopping malls, cooperative societies, and supermarkets.

The authorities also requested older adults and children to not enter into retail stores located outside shopping centers, to ensure their health and wellbeing.

The decision comes as a precautionary measure during the reopening phase of activities in the UAE. Starting from May 1, several malls reopened in the Country following the implementation of strict rules to prevent the spread of coronavirus COVID-19.

Based on available evidence, children could be unseen carriers of the virus and important links in community transmission chains. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), older adults are at a significantly increased risk of severe disease following infection from COVID-19. So far 258,481 persons are reported to have died, the majority of these losses occurred in those older than 60 years.

WHO indicates some of the reasons COVID-19 impacts greatly older people include the physiological changes associated with aging, decreased immune function, and multi-morbidity, which exposes them to be more susceptible to the infection itself and make them more likely to suffer severely from coronavirus disease and more serious complications.

Protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring the health and safety of everyone is a top priority for UAE leadership and authorities while guaranteeing the gradual return to normal following the pandemic.

WAM