Coronavirus threatening expat exodus from the UAE

Lygia and Robert wanted a picture of them with their 10-month old daughter that could be framed to reflect the happy times they had spent in Dubai.

That moment was captured by a professional photographer at a popular sun-drenched beach with the iconic Burj al-Arab hotel in the background.

After spending 10 years in the city where they met, fell in love and started a family, Lygia and Robert are getting ready to say goodbye to Dubai.

Both of them used to work for the travel industry but lost their jobs due to the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite their best efforts they could not find any new employment opportunities, forcing them to take the tough decision of going back to their home country - Brazil.

"We always imagined our daughter growing up here. But we have zero income. We can't afford to live here," Lygia says.