Yemen’s internationally recognized government called for the formation of a joint initiative with Houthi-run health authorities in Sana'a, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), to deal with potential coronavirus cases in the country.

Minister of State Abdulrab Al-Salami said in a series of tweets that if coronavirus reaches Yemen, it will not differentiate between the government and the Houthis, between south and north, or between armed and unarmed people.

"I am afraid that fragmented efforts may cause the epidemic to enter, spread, and we will fail to control it, particularly as the World Health Organization has warned of the danger of its spread in Yemen," he said.

As of Sunday, Dr. Riyadh Al-Jariri, the undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Health and Population health director in Sahel Hadhramout, said that no cases of the infection had been reported in Hadhramout governorate.

Al-Salami said that at this moment, the nation needs courageous efforts that go beyond politics in the interest of Yemen's people. 

"We must take the opportunity before it is too late and support any initiatives that make the fight against the coronavirus epidemic a humanitarian goal, away from politics," he said. 

Hadhramout governor, Maj. Gen. Faraj Salemin Al-Bahsani, declared a state of emergency to deal with the epidemic in a televised address on Saturday.

The governor called on all state institutions, agencies and citizens to stay at home and not leave unless necessary. He also asked the security services, the police and the relevant authorities to carry out their duties and to prevent any gatherings on the beaches or in markets.

Al-Bahsani gave instructions to the local health office to transfer those in quarantine from Ibn Sinai Hospital in Mukalla to a secluded area. He also announced the Saudi-led coalition's response to provide urgent medical assistance to face the coronavirus epidemic in Yemen.