While the Health Ministry is expected to publish regulations regarding the reopening of convention centers later this week.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Unconventional times test Israel's international convention industry
Dubai to reopen gyms, cinemas, resume economic activities starting May 27
Dubai will allow gyms, cinemas and other businesses to reopen starting on Wednesday May 27, according to a statement issued by Dubai Media Office on Monday.Business will be allowed to operate between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. but must comply with strict precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The announcement came after a virtual meeting of Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, headed by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, to evaluate the current health, economic and social situations the emirate faces. The committee made the decision to allow businesses to resume operations without compromising strict precautionary and preventative measures implemented.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Dubai to reopen gyms, cinemas, resume economic activities starting May 27
What on earth is media bribery, and should it be a crime? – analysis
How could Mandelblit indict Netanyahu for a nonexistent crime that no one had ever been indicted for before, and that is unheard of not only in Israel, but on most of the planet?
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: What on earth is media bribery, and should it be a crime? – analysis
Are deep security ties between Israel and Jordan at risk? – analysis
King Abdullah has warned of a major clash with the Hashemite Kingdom should Israel follow through with annexation. That wouldn't be good for either side.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Are deep security ties between Israel and Jordan at risk? – analysis
Lebanon confirms 5 new coronavirus cases, total at 1,119
Lebanon’s Health Ministry Monday recorded five new coronavirus cases in the prior 24 hours, all of which were identified among returning expatriates..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon confirms 5 new coronavirus cases, total at 1,119
Lebanon’s economic crisis is decimating its middle class
The middle class in cash-strapped Lebanon is having a hard time making ends meet as salaries have been slashed and banks are imposing informal capital control, all compounded by the coronavirus-induced lockdown measures.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Lebanon’s economic crisis is decimating its middle class
Iraq to launch investigations against killing of protesters
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Khadimi announced the formation of an investigation committee to look into the killings of Iraqi protesters.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iraq to launch investigations against killing of protesters
UAE reports 779 new coronavirus infections, five deaths
The UAE reported on Tuesday 779 new coronavirus infections and five deaths, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 31,086 and the death toll to 253, according to the country's health ministry.The country has conducted more than 2 million coronavirus tests in line with its strategy to ramp up testing, according to a Monday announcement by the ministry.For the latest updates on coronavirus, visit our dedicated page.Minister of Health, Dr. Abdul Rahman al-Owais, said: “We are adopting a proactive approach to stem the virus’ spread in the country. We are now at a critical juncture that requires individual responsibility; we all must honor our responsibility to society and stand alongside our first line of defense and our leadership to survive the crisis,” state news agency WAM reported.The total number of recovered cases of has reached 15,982 with 325 cases recovering in the past 24 hours after receiving treatment, the ministry of health reported.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Read more: Coronavirus in UAE: $2,723 fine for violators among people required to use Alhosn appPictures: Dubai welcomes first day of Eid al-Fitr with a rare rainbowCoronavirus: Dubai’s Crown Prince says will focus next on helping seniors, families
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE reports 779 new coronavirus infections, five deaths
Kuwait reports 608 new coronavirus infections, seven deaths
Kuwait reports 608 new coronavirus infections and seven deaths, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 22,575 and the death toll to 172, according to the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health.In the past 24 hours, 685 cases have recovered, bringing the total number of recovered cases in the country to 7,306.For the latest updates on coronavirus, visit our dedicated page.Out of the new cases, 200 were Indian residents, 146 were Kuwaiti citizens, 78 were Egyptian, 38 were from Bangladesh, and the rest were from different nationalities.More than 276,000 tests have been conducted across the country since the beginning of the pandemic, the ministry reported in a graph on its Twitter account.The country's interior minister had said that the cabinet will announce on Thursday the details of a partial curfew and a plan for public life to return to normal gradually.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Kuwait had imposed a full-time curfew from May 10 to May 30 to help to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.Read more: Past health crisis helped shape rapid Saudi and Kuwaiti coronavirus responseCoronavirus: Kuwait will not extend 24-hour curfew
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Kuwait reports 608 new coronavirus infections, seven deaths
Coronavirus: Dubai restricts luxury, focuses on safety for tourism post-pandemic
Dubai’s tourism authorities are discussing how to adapt to a post-pandemic world where maintaining social distance and safety will be paramount as the tourism industry looks to return to normalcy.Tourism activities in Dubai were suspended to slow the spread of coronavirus on March 16, and Dubai’s Expo 2020, which was set to begin in October, was postponed for a year.But now, the world, and Dubai, are gradually reopening after more than two months of shutdown. How to keep tourists safe as popular sites reopen will be the next major hurdle governments have to face.“With the hospitality sector being a key pillar of Dubai’s economy, the discussions between Dubai Tourism and partners focused on the steps being taken to pave the way for the reopening of hotels and other tourism facilities across the city, while ensuring adherence to the strictest guidelines and providing opportunities to revive domestic market demand,” a statement from WAM said.Dubai authorities said they hoped to welcome tourists back by July, but that could be delayed perhaps to September, depending on global trends.“As we look ahead to a gradual reopening of tourism, we will focus on the key elements that have ensured the industry’s success over the past decade – creating unique value and delivering an uncompromised guest experience,” Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, Dubai Tourism said in the WAM statement.Health and safety will be the new priority for tourism hotspots and hotels.“All those luxurious elements we’ve come to expect – like an attentive waiter topping up your glass at dinner, or a hand-folded towel waiting on your bed – have to be reconsidered,” Emaar Hospitality COO Chris Newman said to Telegraph Travel.He said that the group that operates 19 hotels in Dubai was working with healthcare consultants to minimize “touch points” in hotels, put in place social distancing for pools, and restaurants will be limited to 30 percent capacity.“And as for buffets? You can forget about them for the foreseeable future,” he told the Telegraph.With the end of Ramadan, licensed restaurants in Dubai are now allowed to serve alcohol, but drinks must be served directly to tables only when food is ordered, and drinks must be served in disposable plastic cups.Nearly 17 million tourists visited Dubai last year, and in 2016, tourism contributed 5 percent to Dubai’s gross domestic product. State-owned Emirates carried nearly 58 million passengers last year.Dubai’s airports have gradually reintroduced flights, beginning with repatriation flights, and eventually, they will resume operations for visitors and other travelers.Read more: Coronavirus: India’s Consulate in Dubai warns against repatriation flights scams“Dubai International Airport is prepared to welcome visitors as soon as airports around the word start reopening and pave the way for a phased resumption of air services,” Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports told WAM.Countries have been hesitant to reopen to tourists, but so far Spain has said they will welcome tourists from July and have urged them to visit the country; Greece has reopened cafes and restarted regular ferry services to its islands.Emirates began resuming flights to nine cities from May 21, and those returning to the UAE will undergo mandatory coronavirus testing on arrival, a 14-day quarantine and a follow-up test.Currently, only residents who have secured approval from The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) via the online UAE Twajudi Resident service will be allowed back into the country.Flydubai’s CEO said via WAM that the airline has operated over 100 repatriation flights to 19 different countries for 14,000 citizens.Read more:Coronavirus in UAE: Abu Dhabi launches cleanliness certification for tourism sectorCoronavirus: Dubai to open hotel beaches, outdoor activities for less than 5 peopleInternational tourism to plunge up to 30 percent due to coronavirus: UN
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Dubai restricts luxury, focuses on safety for tourism post-pandemic