His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, was briefed on the latest precautionary and preventive measures and national initiatives taken at country level to combat COVID-19.

This came during a virtual meeting involving H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, and ministers and officials in charge of preventive health measures and education and economic initiatives taken to stem the impact of COVID-19.

"Their Highnesses the Rulers of the Emirates are closely following up the measures taken under these trying times and I have no doubt we will emerge victorious in this menacing battle against this challenge, God willing," Sheikh Mohamed told the ministers and senior officials participating in the visual communication.

Sheikh Mohamed hailed the efforts taken by various state departments, extending special thanks to those "working in silence across the front lines, protecting our national security dignity, economy, and the health and safety of our society and ensuring its protection."

"The UAE is proud of our citizens and residents living on our soil. We are proud they (residents) share with us our identity. It’s really impressive to hear our residents echoing the National Anthem of the UAE on social media platforms as the National Disinfection Programme is being carried out nationwide. God bless you all, and God Willing, we will survive these trying times."

He highlighted the several positive developments that occurred over the past period, including compliance to the strict measures taken against the novel virus and the successful application of the distance learning system. "These are all optimism-inspiring developments that assure us all that we will eventually defeat this virus."

"The Coronavirus crisis has placed the government, the private sector and the entire world in face of an enormous challenge, which is to protect people’s health on the one hand and to keep business mobility alive in our institutions while ensuring public services remain unaffected."

"We will never hesitate to take any measures against any potential threat to people’s life. At the same time, we won’t let the development grind to a halt. We will continue to address this critical period in a prudent, cautious manner until we survive these difficult times, by the end of which, our country will turn to be more powerful than it has used to be."

"Food and medicine supply and other life essentials are in safe hands in the UAE whatever direction crisis may lead us in. The UAE is in a safe position and will continue to be so. We won’t hesitate to take any measure to ensure the safety of the society and its protection over the coming period."

For his part, H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, said Sheikh Mohamed’s continuing follow-up of emergency plans and actions taken by various national teams is a source of motivation to exert more effort for the sake of our homeland."

H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun said the UAE "boasts a comprehensive preventive mechanism. We are fully geared for this challenge efficiently, as we place public health and safety of our people, including Emiratis and residents on the top of our priorities. All of them are partners in this nation irrespective of any other considerations. Cooperation among all members of the society is essential to confront this challenge."

https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395302833980