Amid coronavirus fears, UAE asks residents to avoid handshakes, ‘nose greetings,’ ‘kissing’
Residents of the United Arab Emirates should “avoid
direct contact with others, in particular cheek and nose greetings, shaking
hands, kissing and hugging” in an effort to combat the spread of coronavirus,
the Ministry of Health said on Friday.
The ministry confirmed on Saturday 15 new COVID-19
cases, raising the total number of those infected in the country to 45.
The tip comes days after the Ministry of Education
announced the early start of spring vacation for schools and universities and
the launch of a distance learning initiative to stop the spread of the deadly
virus.
Schools and higher educational institutions will be
closed for four weeks starting Sunday.
Globally, countries have advised their citizens to
avoid public spaces and direct contact with others per recommendations from the
World Health Organization.
Several countries in the Arabian Gulf region have
been hit with the virus, with Iran at the epicenter.
