DUBAI — The flagship carrier of the United Arab Emirates announced Sunday that it would suspend all passenger flights by Wednesday in response to the novel coronavirus, but it issued a new statement hours later that suggested it would keep some routes open.
“As a global network airline, we find ourselves in a situation where we cannot viably operate passenger services until countries reopen their borders, and travel confidence returns,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of the Emirates Group.
Emirates will retain cargo flights but implement a three-month basic salary cut to avoid layoffs. The salary cuts would range from 25 percent to 50 percent, with some top executives taking a 100 percent cut for the period.
In its second statement, the group clarified that it would keep some routes open, and the original statement was deleted from the Emirates website and social media accounts. The reason for the change was not clear.
The routes to remain open included Britain, the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, Bangkok, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Australia, South Africa and Canada, the carrier said.
The UAE has lagged behind its neighbors in closing down daily life. Many countries in the Persian Gulf region have imposed near-total lockdowns, while in the UAE, beaches, parks, malls and restaurants have remained open.
During the weekend, beaches in Dubai were filled with people, many apparently tourists. Now all beaches and parks, as well as “swimming pools, movie theaters and sports halls and lounges,” will be closed for two weeks.
Restaurants will remain open as long as they are never at more than 20 percent capacity.
The UAE has also closed its borders to all but citizens, who must be isolated for 14 days after arrival. Even expatriates — who make up almost 90 percent of the population — are not allowed back in the country if outside. Local media are full of stories of students studying abroad unable to return to their families.
The UAE announced its first two deaths from the coronavirus during the weekend and 13 new cases, bringing its total to 153.
