UAE, UK friendship showing its mettle at this testing time

Islam Mohamed

Countries are reassessing their foreign relations in the light of international reactions to the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus in them.

The current crisis is also reemphasizing strong relations between the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

The UAE helped the UK airlift its citizens back home. The British Embassy in Abu Dhabi said dozens of British citizens had left the UAE on Saturday.

The airports of Dubai and Abu Dhabi suspended all flights for two weeks as of Thursday, in a preventive measure against the Covid-19 virus.

The embassy said on its website that UAE authorities were in continual contact with it for the return of British nationals to their country.

On March 28, health authorities in the UAE confirmed the infection of four British nationals. They said the four British people had received treatment for the disease at UAE hospitals.

Over 1,000 people had died of Covid-19 in the UK until Saturday. This is spreading fear among British citizens, especially with the virus hitting among senior government officials, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Johnson has started quarantining himself at home, but continues to supervise the work of the government via videoconference.

The British Health Secretary also said he had contracted the virus.

UAE Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, expressed wishes that Prince Charles, who also contract the virus, would recover soon.

“We hope that Prince Charles will go back to normal life soon,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on Twitter. “Our hearts are with him and with all those infected with the virus.”

He said the UAE stands in solidarity with the UK at this testing time.

Sheikh Mohamed also expressed solidarity with Prime Minister Johnson.