The facilities were closed on March 25, 2020 following the partial suspension of operations at DXB as part of the strategy to control the spread of Covid-19.

 Welcoming the reopening of Terminal 1 as an important step in preparing to accommodate the anticipated growth in travel demand in the coming weeks and months, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, Dubai Airports said,  "Dubai's aviation sector has been at the forefront of a global campaign to restore vital international air services with the opening of quarantine-free travel corridors between the UAE and multiple countries around the world. This move signals our confidence that the outlook for the rest of the year and beyond is one of optimism, as well as being a clear indication of Dubai's intent to lead the aviation industry in its efforts to enable social and economic recovery of the world. This reopening is a collaborative effort of the many stakeholders involved in the operation of the world's largest international airport and we are delighted to be able to make this important step towards the restoration of full airport operations."