Dubai combats coronavirus: 500 police cars patrol to catch violators of rules

UAE - Five-hundred Dubai police vehicles are patrolling the streets daily to monitor and catch violators of the national sterilisation programme, Dubai's top cop said on Thursday.

Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, said Dubai police are patrolling the emirate's streets to ensure compliance to the rules and regulations in place to curb the spread of Covid-19.

"62 to 63 check points are set up at all Dubai entry points to guarantee that everyone is complying with precautionary measures, including the number of passengers allowed in a single car and also wearing of masks," said the Commander-in-Chief during a virtual media briefing on Thursday.

"We are also using supportive resources like surveillance cameras and radars to make sure everyone is complying with physical distancing rules."

However, the Dubai police chief said the aim of police is not to fine people but to ensure zero violations.

"Fines are not to punish people. They are a tool to urge people to comply."

Lt. Gen, Al Marri said Dubai Police are aiming to achieve not just 99 per cent compliance of Covid-19 regulations, but 100 per cent.

"I am not giving this message as the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police but as a Dubai community member. We have to pay back to our leadership by complying to restrictions so that we can get out of this crisis with the least amount of losses."

The Commander-in Chief- also said officers are active both on the streets and online to monitor people engaging in unacceptable behaviours like perpetrating cyber crimes. Lt. Gen. Al Marri pointed out the recent busting of 85 tonnes of drugs by Dubai Police.

The police chief also said that, during the sterilisation programme, officers closely monitored the Naif area where the Gold Souq with more than 179 shops is located.

"We had to protect the safety of the shops and their shops. During the sterilisation drive, it has to be noted that all owners left their stock in their shops itself. Nothing got tampered, touched or went missing. This reinforces the trust of the community in the UAE and the Dubai government."

Taking a question on the health and safety procedures implemented in labour accommodation, Lt. Gen. Al Marri said labourers are part of the UAE community and they have equal rights and obligations.

"The UAE government and Dubai government have supported this segment and provided them with medical clinics, distributed medical equipment to them, carried out tests and provided them with isolation and quarantine facilities as per the health guidelines."

"We have provided a total of 7 million iftar meals for labourers, in addition to other charity and humanitarian work carried out."

Lt. Gen, Al Marri said more than 46 labour accommodations in Dubai are receiving iftar meals on a daily basis through Dubai Municipality and the permanent committee for labour welfare.