Middle East Experience

The professor emeritus of Psychology at the University of Haifa said the pandemic would have a knock-on effect on mental health.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel's mental health service should 'brace for surge in demand'

An Israeli court has ruled in favor of protecting Israel’s beaches from commercial use such as keeping tents and other equipment on them.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel kicks party business off beaches

The use of chalkstones vessels did not stop with the destruction of city in the second century CE as previously thought, but continued in the Galilee for at least two more centuries.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Special vessels show Jewish continuity in Israel after Roman destruction

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with Iraq’s new Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein by phone on Tuesday.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Intel: Pompeo speaks with Iraq’s new foreign minister

After 27 years of service in the IDF and without any formal musical training, embarking on a rigorous musical career was the last thing Arik, then in his mid-40s, was expecting to do.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Retired IDF major becomes Rimon School of Music's oldest graduate

Trains are set to return to Israel's railways on Monday after the coronavirus cabinet approved the renewal of services under tight health restrictions on Wednesday evening.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Coronavirus cabinet approves renewal of train services

Dubai will lift the ban on the entry of elderly citizens above the age of 60 and children under the age of 12 to malls, swimming pools, beaches, public parks, some cinemas and other public facilities starting from June 18, as part of the emirate’s easing of coronavirus restrictions, according to the Dubai Media Office.Developing.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Malls, beaches, parks: Dubai lifts coronavirus restriction on elderly, children entry

Experimental F-35i to serve as a testbed for unique Israeli technology
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 4 more F-35is to land in Israel this summer, including experimental model

The UAE on Wednesday announced a list of countries that citizens and residents can travel to starting from June 23 as part of the government’s efforts to loosen coronavirus restrictions.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The countries have been divided into three categories: high risk, moderate risk, and low risk.Citizens and residents of the UAE will only be allowed to travel to “low risk” countries. However, some groups of people may be allowed to travel to countries with a “moderate risk,” only if it is absolutely necessary.Visit our dedicated coronavirus site here for all the latest updates.The group allowed to travel to “moderate risk” countries includes: citizens who have approval to receive medical treatment abroad, those traveling for diplomatic or military missions, those traveling on official business or to attend conferences, people who have first-degree relatives – meaning parents, children or siblings – in the destination country, and those traveling for an emergency (death of a family member or spouse).Travelers will be expected to submit a travel request through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship and register for the ‘Tawajudi’ service before travel, undergo a COVID-19 test before and after their trip, and will be asked to self-quarantine for up to 14 days.The destination countries may also have their own set of procedures and measures in place, and UAE citizens and residents are expected to check regulations before they travel.Read more:Categories, restrictions: All the facts about UAE allowing travel amid coronavirusCoronavirus: UAE releases new, accurate COVID-19 antibody test to marketFollowing is the categorized list of countries all UAE citizens and residents can travel to:1. Low risk: -Australia-Austria-The Bahamas-Bahrain- Bosnia and Herzegovina- Brunei-Bulgaria-The Czech Republic (Czechia)-China-Costa Rica-Croatia-Cyprus-Finland-Fiji-Georgia-Greece-Hong Kong-Hungary-Iceland-Ireland-Japan-Jordan-Latvia-Lithuania-Luxemburg-Malaysia-Maldives-Malta-Mauritius-Montenegro-New Zealand-Norway-Singapore-Romania-South Korea-Seychelles-Slovakia-Switzerland-Taiwan-Thailand-Tunisia2. Moderate risk: -Belgium-Denmark-Holland-Poland-Portugal-Oman-Canada-Estonia-France-Germany-Morocco-Kuwait-Slovenia-Tanzania
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Countries UAE citizens, residents can travel to starting from June 23

Dubai further eased its coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday, lifting the ban on residents above 60 or below 12 in malls, and allowing a range of facilities including swimming pools and museums to operate at full capacity.The announcement comes in line with Dubai’s reopening plan, aimed at allowing economic and social life to resume in the emirate without triggering another wave of COVID-19 cases. So far, the plan appears to be succeeding, with the rate of infections falling over the last three weeks.Read more: Categories, restrictions: All the facts about UAE allowing travel amid coronavirusHowever, some COVID-19 restrictions still remain in place in the emirate, and the government continues to insist that residents follow the latest health advice.Visit our dedicated coronavirus site here for all the latest updates.Here are some of the key questions answered.When do the new guidelines become effective?The new guidelines issued by the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management come into effect on Thursday, June 18.Which restrictions do the new guidelines ease?Dubai had previously banned children under 12 and adults over 60 from entering malls in the emirate. These new guidelines remove that ban.A range of facilities including swimming pools, museums, and water parks were also previously forced to operate at limited capacity. These new guidelines allow the following facilities to operate at full capacity:• Swimming pools and all aquatic sports and venues• Private museums, cultural centers, art galleries, and public libraries• Water parks, pools, meeting rooms and kids’ clubs at hotels• Home beauty services• Care facilities for the elderly and people of determination• Sports equipment and kids’ playground areas in public parks and beachesDubai Media Office also announced that the following activities can now be resumed:• Outdoor tourism• Fitness activities such as climbing• Swimming pools• Fitness centers• Water parks and interactive water activities• Cinemas (3D and 4D)Can I take my children to the mall in Dubai?Yes, from June 18, children are now allowed to go to the mall.Are children’s play centers open in Dubai?Yes, from June 18, kids’ playground areas are open in public parks and beaches.However, it is not clear whether soft play centers will be open under the new regulations.Can old people visit malls in Dubai?Yes, people above the age of 60 are now permitted to visit malls in Dubai.Do I still need to wear a face mask in Dubai?Yes, face masks are still mandatory outside of the home in Dubai.However, while face masks were previously compulsory in all situations, authorities have since made a number of exceptions. People can now temporarily remove their face masks when:• Exercising• Eating or drinking• Swimming or skydiving• Driving alone• Undergoing certain medical treatmentsChildren under six and people with breathing disorders are also permitted to remove their masks.What if I am caught not wearing a face mask?The 1,000 dirham ($272) fine remains in place for not wearing a face mask, other than in the exceptions listed above.Do my children need to wear face masks in public?Children under six are exempt from wearing face masks. The normal rules apply to children above six.Is there still a curfew? What time is the curfew in Dubai?Yes, Dubai is still operating a curfew from 11 p.m. every night. Only people with permits can leave the house after 11 p.m. The curfew is lifted at 6 a.m., but exercise with a group of less than five people is allowed after the Fajr prayer from 4:30 a.m.In the rest of the UAE, the curfew is in place from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.How long is the curfew going to last in Dubai?Authorities have not yet given an end date for the curfew.Read more: Categories, restrictions: All the facts about UAE allowing travel amid coronavirusCoronavirus: Countries UAE citizens, residents can travel to starting from June 23Coronavirus: Dubai’s Emirates plans air bridges to Europe for quarantine-free travel
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus Q&A: 10 questions answered as Dubai eases its lockdown further