The UAE government has detected 63 new Covid-19 cases belonging to various nationalities, taking to 468 the total tally of infections in the UAE, a top official was quoted as saying in a media report.

Dr Farida Al Hosani, the official spokesperson for the UAE health sector, added that the National Disinfection Programme has been extended until April 4, reported state news agency Wam.

The sterilisation will be carried out daily from 8pm until 6am the following morning and restrictions will continue to cover public and private facilities, streets, public transportation, metro trains and trams.

The new cases, who are receiving all necessary medical treatment in UAE medical facilities, belong to various nationalities, including one from each of Kyrgyzstan, Somalia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria; two from each of Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Nepal; three from each of Egypt; four from Britain; six from Pakistan; eight from UAE, and 30 people from India.

"Hundreds of personnel, supervisors and administrative staff from various federal and local government departments are participating in the National Disinfection Programme. Several regions and utilities have already been sterilized using state-of-the-art technology nationwide over several stages in collaboration with various relevant authorities," she added.

"The decision to extend the sterilisation drive until April 5 aims to ensure coverage of the largest possible number of utilities and establishments nationwide. It will be carried out daily from 8pm until 6am the following morning, and restrictions in the movement of traffic will continue during this period and resume as normal in daylight."

Al Hosani hailed the concerted efforts and synergy witnessed across the country over the past two days toward the National Disinfection Programme.

"More than 70 percent of the UAE people, including Emiratis, residents and visitors, have remarkably committed themselves to the programme in a way that facilitated the efforts of the sterilization teams," she added, thanking all UAE people, police and security departments, civil defence teams and municipalities for their efforts to ensure the success of the programme,” she added.