DUBAI: The UAE authorities have called on Emirati students studying abroad to return within 48 hours as part of the country’s measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, state news agency WAM reported on Monday.

The Ministry of Education and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said the plan involves all Emirati national students, whether they were on a scholarship or studying from personal expenses.

Students should contact their local UAE consulates and embassies.

The UAE temporarily suspended all passenger and transit flights on Monday.

The Emirati authorities “have decided to suspend all inbound and outbound passenger flights and the transit of airline passengers in the UAE for two weeks as part of the precautionary measures taken to curb the spread of the COVID-19,” WAM reported.

There are 198 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country, out of which 41 recovered and 2 died.