Dubai streets empty as UAE virus curfew enforced

Few vehicles could be seen on Dubai's usually busy motorways on Tuesday night, as the city continued to observe the United Arab Emirates' recently extended nightly coronavirus curfew.

The silence in the city's core was interrupted only by the occasional passing of food delivery bikes and police cars.

The original curfew, enacted to give officials time to disinfect public spaces between the hours of 8 pm and 6 am (1600-0200 GMT), was set to end on 29 March.

The country's Health Ministry extended it to 5 April on Saturday.

The government has introduced a fine of 3000 dirhams ($817) for anyone breaking the curfew.

Fifty-three new COVID-19 cases were announced in the UAE on Tuesday, bringing the total number to 664 with six deaths

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.