O'Reilly, a teacher with residency in the UAE, had been visiting family in New Jersey when the UAE suspended passenger flights as part of measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Expatriates make up around 80% of the population of the UAE, which has recorded 4,123 coronavirus infections with 22 deaths. With most flights halted and curfews in place, many idle UAE hotels that once served tourists and business travellers have offered themselves as quarantine centres. On landing in the UAE, O'Reilly tested negative for the new coronavirus but was not permitted to leave her hotel room due to quarantine regulations and her temperature was taken each day. Through the spyhole in the hotel room door, she could see masked workers sterilising hallway carpets daily.

Source: bd News24 April 13, 2020 12:22 UTC