Pictures: When Dubai stepped up all its efforts to battle COVID-19

FIGHTING AN UNSEEN ENEMY. Dubai Municipality workers disinfects a street during the National Disinfection Programme. From March 20, 2020, an army of workers was out on the streets every night, spraying disinfectants on public areas in the battle against COVID-19.

DRONE DELIVERY: A Dubai Municipality drone showers disinfectant on a street during the campaign to sanitise public spaces.

WHEN THE STREET HAD NO CARS. The empty Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai on March 27, 2020, during a 24-hour movement restriction to facilitate the National Disinfection Programme. The Dubai Municipality spearheaded the disinfection drive launched in Dubai on March 20, 2020.

POLICE PATROL: Mounted Dubai Police patrols played a key role in ensuring that people followed Covid protocols.

NO ENTRY. A blocked road in Al Ras, Dubai, a wholesale trading hub that is home to one of the oldest communities in the emirate. Restrictions on movement in the area were in place for two weeks in March 2020, including road closures and metro closures.

AMBER ALERT : Dubai Municipality workers spray disinfectants at night.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL. A health worker checks the temperature of residents in the Naif Road neighbourhood on March 28, 2020. To control the spread of COVID-19, a team of doctors, nurses, paramedics and lab technicians in cooperation with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Dubai Police carried out medical check-ups in densely-populated areas of Dubai.

DRIVE-BY CHECK. A motorist gets a nasal swab sample taken at a drive-through COVID-19 testing centre at the Al Nasr Club in Dubai. It was part of the Dubai Health Authority’s efforts to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

FOOD CONTROL. Dubai Municipality inspectors carry out checks at a food establishment in Dubai. The municipality cracked down on food outlets flouting COVID-19 safety precautions and has closed many for violations.

TICKET TO RIDE : Dubai Metro ticket dispensers at a station get a scrub with disinfectant during the sanitation campaign in Dubai.

COMBATING CORONAVIRUS: Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), launched a campaign encouraging residents to stay home in the wake of COVID-19.

GREEN DRIVE : The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) workers disinfect Green Chargers for electric vehicles at petrol stations across Dubai, collaborating with ENOC and ADNOC.

DIGITAL LEARNING : A student attending online classes in Dubai. Smart learning platforms and a manual to manage students during distance learning was also launched in March 2020.

KEEPING FLYERS SAFE : Emirates airline gave away complimentary hygiene kits for passengers who check-in at the Dubai International Airport and on the flights into Dubai.

NEW ARRIVALS : Tourists arrive at the Dubai International Airport after international flights resumed on July 7, 2020. When 13 international carriers restarted flights, tourists began to pour into Dubai.

LAB ON WHEELS. The mobile screening unit of the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS). The lab unit was launched to serve senior citizens, residents and people of determination as part of Dubai’s efforts to combat the novel coronavirus. The testing unit is equipped with smart technologies and advanced devices to protect paramedics and people who are tested.

WELCOME TO DUBAI : A passenger undergoes immigration clearance at the Dubai International Airport. Safety measures were ramped up at the airport to keep travellers and staff safe.

FOOD CHAIN : In June 2020, Dubai restaurants reopened with limited capacity for diners, and it was later raised to 60 per cent.

RETURN OF THE TOURISTS : When Dubai reopened for business, the safety practices attracted tourists, who started returning in July 2020.

FRONTLINE WARRIORS. Healthcare workers were at the frontline of the battle against COVID-19. Doctors, nurses, paramedics, ambulance drivers and other medical personnel of various nationalities worked round the clock to serve the COVID-stricken people.

VIRUS WIPE : Seats in a school bus is scrubbed clean with sanitiser. Besides disinfecting vehicles, schools had to enforce safety protocols to protect the students from the coronavirus.

RETURN TO WORK: Following the Dubai government's directive of allowing people to get back to their workplaces, businesses took hygienic measures, social distancing, and safety protocols to prevent and contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus among their employees and customers.

A SHOT IN THE ARM. A COVID-19 vaccination centre in Dubai. The vaccination programme, rolled out in December 2020, picked up pace in the following months. Sinopharm, Pfizer-BioNTech and Sputnik vaccines are available in Dubai.

HEIGHT SEEING : A helicopter tour offers tourists breathtaking views of the city’s landmarks, skyscrapers and the man-made archipelago of Palm Jumeirah.

FIERY FOUNTAIN : The Palm Fountain broke the Guinness World Record for the largest fountain in the world. Inaugurated at the Pointe in Dubai, it is spread over 14,000 sqft of seawater.

LIVE SHOW : Visitors watch a performance at a mall during the Dubai Shopping Festival which ran from Dec 17, 2020 – Jan 30, 2021. The city rejoiced in another successful season of incredible retail deals, raffles, and more during the Dubai Shopping Festival.