UAE calls on citizens abroad to return due to travel difficulties

United Arab Emirates has urged its citizens abroad to return home due to travel difficulties amid the spread of coronavirus and suspensions of flights from some countries. (File/AFP)

• UAE has recorded 98 cases of the virus
• Foreign ministry says vital for citizens abroad to contact mission in the country they are in

DUBAI: UAE citizens traveling abroad have been urged to return home.
The foreign ministry made the call due to travel conditions becoming more restricted and flights suspended in several countries, the state news agency WAM reported. 
The ministry called on unwell Emirati students abroad to coordinate with the scholarship agency through the UAE’s embassies.
The ministry also said it was vital for citizens traveling abroad to contact the mission in the country they are currently in, adding that any Emirati traveler should register with their nearest mission.

Meanwhile, Dubai budget carrier flydubai suspended flights after a number of countries imposed national and international travel restrictions.

Flights to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were suspended until March 31 while services to Kuwait between March 14 and March 19 were cancelled. Flights to India between March 17 and 31 we also scrapped.

Flights to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey and Sudan were also suspended, and the carrier has not issued any statement when they would be resumed.