From all the messy reporting and weird English used by the UAE-based news sites, it is still not clear if UAE residents are allowed to return. Called up and asked Emirates about it and they are saying it's no problem but the fact that there are thousands of residents stuck abroad who can't come back because they need permission from Tawajudi or Smart Services or whatever they call it now makes me believe otherwise. Maybe it's a question better addressed to immigration but they are all closed for Eid.

Anyone have any insight on this?

It'd suck buying a ticket with Emirates' assurance that everything is fine, flying out to some country and then being stuck there because Emirates won't accept you without the permission of the MOFA...and of course your ticket won't be refunded because Emirates is only responsible for the flight - immigration is the passenger's responsibility.