Oman announced a significant increase in coronavirus cases on Monday, with 128 new cases taking the total in the country from 599 to 727, according to the Omani Ministry of Health via Twitter.There have been a total of four deaths from coronavirus in the sultanate, added the statement, which is no change from the previous day.The ministry also confirmed 15 new recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 124.Read more:Coronavirus: UAE could flatten curve in 2-3 weeks, says COVID-19 health officialCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia to conduct clinical trial of COVID-19 treatmentCoronavirus: Developing nations face choice between infection and starvationA jump in casesThe 128 new cases is a significant jump in the number of new cases reported per day in Oman.The day before, the ministry reported only 53 new cases, a number in line broadly in line with the 62 reported on Saturday.Oman's trajectory of cases has been slightly behind most of its neighbors in the Arabian Gulf, which generally experienced a relatively steep rise in cases in the first week of April. The rise in numbers could reflect its trajectory catching up, but may also reflect an increase in testing as with the UAE.While the UAE has far more cases than Oman, with 4,123 cases, and 680 recoveries, the increase in cases being discovered partly reflects an increase in the number of tests being carried out, according to Dr. Adil Sajwani, a family medicine doctor in the Ministry of Health and Prevention and a member of the national awareness team for COVID-19 in the UAE.Saudi Arabia has the highest number of cases in the Arabian Gulf, with a total of 4,262 cases as of Sunday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Oman announces 128 new cases, a major increase bringing total to 727
How Syrian opposition is trying to stop coronavirus from reaching its areas
The Syrian opposition-led government is penalizing anyone involved in smuggling operations in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: How Syrian opposition is trying to stop coronavirus from reaching its areas
Israel passes ball of prisoner exchange deal back to Hamas
On the back of the coronavirus crisis, Israel is now examining a three-phased plan proposed indirectly by Hamas for the exchange of prisoners.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel passes ball of prisoner exchange deal back to Hamas
Gantz, Netanyahu trample Basic Law with mind-boggling hutzpah
In negotiating a unity government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz are making a mockery of Israel's parliamentary system and Basic Laws.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Gantz, Netanyahu trample Basic Law with mind-boggling hutzpah
Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry updates curfew movement permit forms
Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry has updated the forms for movement permits during the curfew which the Kingdom has extended indefinitely.An official source at the Ministry of Interior said the updated to the forms were done after reviewing and defining the number of people exempted during curfew and allowed to move during the curfew order, according to the Saudi Press Agency.Every governmental entity is required to issue necessary permits for its personnel while the competent authority in the Interior Ministry would stamp these permits, the source said.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.With regard to the personnel, who are moving by buses, a driver is allowed to have a permit, which should specify the number of passengers – which should not exceed 50 per cent of the passenger load, the number plate of vehicle, route of movement, working days and times in addition to adhering to the necessary health requirements for the passengers.Riyadh city would be the first city in which these new measures would be applied. These new measures start from Monday April 13.The source said that any violator would be fined SR10,000 ($2,655) in addition to other legal procedures.Read more:Coronavirus: 250 repatriated Saudi Arabians arrive in the Kingdom from IndonesiaCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia to conduct clinical trial of COVID-19 treatmentCoronavirus: UAE says it is successfully treating patients with hydroxychloroquine
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry updates curfew movement permit forms
Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia confirms 472 new cases, bringing the total to 4,934
Saudi Arabia has confirmed 472 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, raising the total to 4,934, according to the health ministry.The death toll is now 65 in the Kingdom after six new fatalities were recorded, the health ministry spokesman said during a press conference on Monday. Two of the deceased are Saudi men, a 51-year-old and a 95-year-old. The remaining four are non-Saudis with ages ranging between 42-67 years old.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.Most cases in Saudi Arabia have been detected in crowded labor worker communities and other crowded residential areas, Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah said earlier.Both the health minister and the spokesman urged people to continue social distancing and to stay home to avoid spreading or contracting the virus.The spokesman advised people to use government-authorized applications for deliveries to avoid going out to buy essential items and groceries. He also recommended using electronic payment methods and to avoid handling cash payments.Last week, al-Rabiah said said the Kingdom's coronavirus cases could reach between 10,000 to 200,000 within weeks based on four different studies conducted by Saudi and foreign experts. The results indicate a constant increase in the numbers rather than a decrease, he added.Al-Rabiah also said the numbers in the coming stages depend on everyone's cooperation and commitment to the instructions and precautionary measures.Read more: Saudi Arabia cases could reach 200,000 within weeks, says minister“There is no doubt that our commitment to the instructions and procedures, in its entirety reduces the number of cases to the minimum, while non-compliance will lead to a huge increase in the number of cases,” al-Rabiah was quoted as saying by the official Saudi Press Agency.The Kingdom recently extended a country-wide curfew until further notice in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. The curfew was initially implemented for three weeks.Last week, Saudi Arabia imposed a 24-hour curfew and lockdown on the cities of Riyadh, Tabuk, Dammam, Dhahran and Hofuf and throughout the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, Qatif, and Khobar.Read more: Saudi Arabia extends coronavirus curfew measures until further noticeTimeline: Here are all the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to combat the coronavirusSaudi Arabia imposes 24-hour curfew in several cities, including Riyadh
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia confirms 472 new cases, bringing the total to 4,934
Coronavirus: UAE records 852 total recoveries, death toll rises to 25
The United Arab Emirates confirmed 172 new coronavirus recoveries over the past 24 hours, raising the total to 852. The death toll reached 25 after three new fatalities were recorded, according to the health ministry.The health ministry did not announce any new confirmed cases during the press conference on Monday. However, 387 cases were recorded on Sunday, bringing the total in the country to 4,123.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The number of confirmed cases has been increasing almost daily as a result of the high number of tests being administered. Health Ministry Spokeswoman Dr. Farida al-Hosani said on Sunday, this helps identify those who are infected as well as people they came into contact with and therefore making it easier to quarantine and contain.Read more: UAE says it is successfully treating patients with hydroxychloroquineThe UAE has taken a variety of measures aimed at combating coronavirus, including closing malls and imposing a nighttime curfew. More recently, authorities have expanded their capacity to identify cases of the virus through the establishment of testing centers across the country. The latest was launched Sunday in Fujairah.The health ministry continues to urge those with a high fever or respiratory symptoms, such as a cough or shortness of breath, to not underestimate the symptoms and to get tested at the nearest center. The spokeswoman emphasized the need to follow the precautionary measures implemented such as wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing when going to a test center.Read more:Fujairah Crown Prince launches COVID-19 test centerUAE extends curfew indefinitely due to disinfection programCoronavirus: UAE to review labor ties with countries who refuse to take back citizens
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE records 852 total recoveries, death toll rises to 25
Saudi ready for further oil cuts if necessary, says kingdom's energy minister
OPEC+ deal on Sunday saw countries agree to reduce collective output by 9.7 million barrels a day
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Saudi ready for further oil cuts if necessary, says kingdom's energy minister
Trump says OPEC+ oil cut closer to 20 million barrels per day
US President has claimed the actual amount is double what has previously been reported
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Trump says OPEC+ oil cut closer to 20 million barrels per day
Time for OPEC+ to prove themselves as a unified team?
How unified and stable OPEC+ truly are will remain open to discussion for some time to come
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Time for OPEC+ to prove themselves as a unified team?