20,000 Pakistanis in UAE stranded by coronavirus lockdown
Travel restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of the novel coronavirus have left thousands of Pakistanis stranded in the United Arab Emirates.
More than 20,000 Pakistanis are stranded in the United Arab Emirates as the Gulf country ratchets up travel restrictions in an attempt to reel in its COVID-19 outbreak.
As part of efforts to contain the spread of the virus, the UAE imposed a two-week round-the-clock lockdown in Dubai and has suspended most passenger flights. Residents can only leave their homes with a special permit and only one member of the household is allowed to leave at one time.
In what marked its biggest single-day jump in cases, the UAE announced Monday that 277 more people were confirmed to be infected with virus, bringing the total to 2,076 with 11 deaths.
Citing a consulate spokesperson, Reuters reported that authorities from Pakistan and the UAE were in talks to arrange special flights for stranded citizens.
