Race officials made the call on Friday to cancel the UAE Tour when members of one of the competing teams tested positive to Covid-19.
Race directors and the President of Commissaires Panel released a joint statement on Friday declaring Yates the event winner: "Following the decision by the relevant local authorities to cancel the last two stages of the 2020 UAE Tour, it is confirmed that the final results of the race are those obtained after stage 5, as per article 2.2.029.".
Yates, riding for Australian team Mitchelton-Scott, Defended his position at the top of the GC with a third place finish in stage five.
He held a one minute lead in the overall standings ahead of Slovenian UAE-Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogačar when the decision was made to cancel the rest of the race.
Reports from the event indicate all riders, officials and event associates were required to undertake health checks due to rising coronavirus concerns.
The race also marked the return of four time Tour de France winner Chris Froome after a serious crash at the Critérium du Dauphiné last June.
"It's a shame that the UAE Tour has been cancelled but public health must come first," Froome tweeted after the news broke.
"We're awaiting testing and will remain at the hotel until further notice," he concluded.
