Coronavirus: Aussie expat’s dire warning on social distancing
An Aussie musician living in Dubai has opened up about the extreme measures the city is taking to deal with the coronavirus crisis, saying she fears Australia is not going far enough.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Dubai has deployed drones to sanitise its streets, as an expat there claimed Australians were prolonging the outbreak.
The UAE has also used number plate recognition and sweeping security cameras surveillance to stop its citizens going out and spreading coronavirus.
The extreme measures in the UAE come as its airlines have been grounded for two weeks, with 611 confirmed cases and five deaths in the oil rich international transport hub.
There are $25,000 AUD fines for going to a park, $7,000 for holding a party and $1,500 fines for those attending.
An Instagram influencer was also arrested for posting a video that appeared to undermine the country’s strict measures.
Elizabeth Donald, 35, an Australian musician who lives in the UAE, said it was “ahead of the curve”.
But she was worried Australians have not heeded the message.
“I can’t fly in or out at the moment. I know the tide will turn but it is very difficult being away from family,” she told News Corp Australia.
“But people are out in the parks in Australia, they are just making this longer for everyone.”
Ms Donald said she felt safe in the UAE and was impressed with its response.
But she said she was unsure when Emirates would fly again, leaving many people stranded.
The police in Dubai have been monitoring movements, including using smartphone data and facial recognition technology on its web of cameras throughout the UAE.
A curfew has been put in place between 8pm and 6pm, with people only allowed to go to the supermarket, pharmacy or essential work during the day.
Some people have been pulled over and threatened with $450 AUD fines.
Police arrested Semia Azaiz, who goes by the Instagram handle “The Trendy Frenchie” for posting a video last week.
A Dubai police statement said: “Dubai Police has arrested a European national of Arab origin for posting a video showing her indifference to the #StayHome national campaign and encouraging people to defy authorities’ social distancing instructions. Legal measures were taken against her.
MORE NEWS
We’re all in this together: A coronavirus novel
Easy ways to survive financially during COVID-19
Qantas wants $4.2b if Virgin gets $1.4bn bailout ‘loan’
“The case has been referred to the Federal Public Prosecution for Information Technology Crimes. Dubai Police stresses the importance of residents fully complying with directives issued by authorities to safeguard public health.”
The UAE has spent billions of dollars preparing for the Expo 2020, due in October, but organisers were considering delaying the event for up to a year because of the coronavirus outbreak.
UPROAR OVER PETS IN EGYPT
Egyptian celebrities have pleaded with people to look after their pets following reports that people were putting them down because of fears they could transmit the coronavirus.
A video has gone viral in the country with a population of 100m, with local celebrities repeating:
“Dogs and cats don’t transfer the coronavirus. Those aren’t my words, those are the words of the World Health Organisation.”
Egypt has reported 609 coronavirus cases and 40 deaths, including two high ranking generals.
There have been reports that soldiers have been put in quarantine after returning from holidays but the country has not put in a strict curfew.
Egypt, which locked up Australian journalist Peter Greste for more than a year for basic reporting, expelled a reporter from the Guardian who had questioned whether the country’s outbreak was worse than official figures.
Originally published as Coronavirus: Aussie expat’s dire warning on social distancing