The Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi has announced that it will be delaying the 30th edition of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), which was scheduled to take place on 15 until 21 April 2020, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, until 23 to 29 May 2021.

The department said in a statement on the fair's website that the move comes as a precautionary measure to protect public health in the wake of the corona virus.

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is an annual book fair that first took place in 1981. The fair It provides a platform where publishers, booksellers, agents, cultural organisations and media can meet, exchange ideas and identify business opportunities.

ADIBF was launched by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE.

The UAE has announced on Tuesday that schools and higher education institutions in the country will close for four weeks from Sunday 8 March as a precautionary measure while six new cases of coronavirus were reported in the country.

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Tuesday announced six new cases of coronavirus. The six individuals include two Russians, two Italians, one German and one Colombian - all connected to the previous cases associated with the UAE Tour cycling event.

The ministry said the individuals are in a stable condition and are receiving all necessary care required. "The total number of coronavirus cases has reached 27," the ministry said, adding that five of the previously reported cases have fully recovered.