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The UAE on Saturday has announced restrictions on visas, as part of its measures to contain the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
The UAE will suspend visa issuance starting March 17, the official news agency WAM reported, citing immigration authorities.
The Federal Authority for Identity And Citizenship (ICA) said: "The move comes as part of the precautionary measures taken by the UAE in response to the World Health Organisation's declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic, a development which reflects the high risks now associated with travel under the current circumstances."
The decision does not apply to those who already have their visas issued prior to the aforementioned date, WAM reported.
However, according to the report, foreign diplomats would be exempted to travel.
The UAE has also temporarily suspended all flights to and from Lebanon, Turkey, Syria and Iraq as of March 17, 2020, until further notice.
Meanwhile, Jordan has also announced that it will ban all incoming and outgoing passenger flights from next Tuesday.
''The decision followed our analysis and assessment of the latest global situation and the scale of the spread of the virus to most countries of the world including Italy, '' WAM reported.
''We are maintaining close coordination and cooperation with competent authorities inside and outside the country in regards to the evolving situation,'' it said.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) has advised passengers affected by the suspension of flights to contact their respective air carriers to reschedule their flights and ensure their safe return to their final destinations.
(Writing by Seban Scaria)
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