Middle East Experience

"Everybody's entitled to their own opinion, but I don't operate here on opinion," the governor told reporters at a news conference. "I operate on facts and on data and on numbers and on projections.";
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: New York to build 8 temporary hospitals, braces for coronavirus surge

Northern Turkey quarantined, Iran death toll rises to over 2,300, Israeli uses military to enforce lockdown, and Lebanon and Iraq extend virus-linked lockdown until mid-April in today's coronavirus roundup..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: The Middle East at war with coronavirus: Top stories from 27 March

Healthcare systems in Tunisia and Egypt are in a catastrophic state. The governmental response to the crisis in both nations could not be more different. Sofian Philip Naceur reports from Tunis..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: COVID-19 in North Africa: Corona proactivity in Tunisia, trivialisation in Egypt

The expression of interest from both party leaders comes amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic facing the country, and following the split between the Israel Resilience party and Blue and White.;
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Labor, Gesher consider joining Gantz in Netanyahu-led government

Johnson is the first leader of a major power to announce a positive test result for coronavirus.;
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: British PM Boris Johnson has coronavirus, self-isolates in Downing Street

They want waivers to speed medical supplies and humanitarian aid to Iran and other sanctioned nations hit hard by the pandemic..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Democrats Push Back on Sanctions, Citing Coronavirus Fears 

Saudi Arabia has taken several measures to combat the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus since the outbreak of the disease first began earlier this year, with only three deaths being recorded so far.Part of the measures taken by the Kingdom includes suspending the seasonal minor Umrah pilgrimage for national and foreign worshippers to introducing a lockdown of the country and establishing a partial curfew to slow the spread of the coronavirus.Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states have been relatively successful in containing the virus, but infections have spiraled out of control in Iran, much of Europe and the United States.The Kingdom convened a virtual extraordinary summit on March 26, bringing together the leaders from the Group of 20 major economies (G20) to address the coronavirus pandemic.“We reaffirm our full support for the World Health Organization in coordinating the efforts to counter this pandemic. To complement these efforts, the G20 must assume the responsibility of reinforcing cooperation in financing research and development for therapeutics and a vaccine for COVID-19 and ensure the availability of the vital medical supplies and equipment. We must also strengthen the global preparedness to counter infectious diseases that may spread in the future,” Saudi Arabia’s King Salman said during his speech as he chaired the virtual G20 meeting.Read more:Coronavirus in Saudi Arabia: The latest facts about what is closed and bannedSomething is rotten in the Islamic Republic: Iran’s sinister coronavirus cover-upNow is the time for the G20 to really show what it can do
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Timeline: Here are all the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to combat the coronavirus

The United Arab Emirates imposed several new fines for people who do not abide by quarantine rules, the latest effort in the country to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page. Anyone who leaves their house for reasons unrelated to work or for necessity will be fined 2,000 AED ($544), according to the Public Prosecution Attorney General.Al Arabiya English learned that one person was fined for going on walk in a compound in The Springs in Dubai before the 8 p.m. weekend curfew.A nation-wide curfew was extended for an additional week from the hours of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day. While the curfew ends on April 5, the Public Prosecution did not announce how long the fines will be enforced.Meanwhile, the Dubai police are using radars on highways to detect violators of the three-day nationwide curfew as authorities carried out a sanitation campaign. A driver who has more than three people in one car will be fined 1,000 AED ($272), according to the public prosecution.Anyone caught not adhering to social distancing practices, and those who do not wear a face mask in closed spaces will be fined 1,000 AED ($272).The UAE on Saturday reported 63 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 468.Anyone who refuses to get retested and to self-quarantine will also be fined 50,000 AED ($13,612).The decision comes after the health ministry said on March 23 that one individual who had recently traveled did not follow self-isolation protocols, and infected 17 of his family members, friends, and coworkers.The new decision also stipulates that anyone who does not abide by the mandatory hospital stay or refuses a treatment plan will also be fined 50,000 AED ($13,612).Also read: Coronavirus: Dubai authorities sanitize metro, taxis during weekend campaignA 5,000 AED ($1,361) fine will also be issued to anyone who refuses to be tested for coronavirus.All malls, shopping centers, commercial centers, and open markets except for fish, vegetable, and meat markets have been ordered to close.Hotels were also asked to close their pubs, bars, and lounges. Gyms, electronic gaming centers, and spring camps are also closed until the end of March.If any one of the above establishments refuses to close, owners will be fined 50,000 AED ($13,612), and visitors will be fined 500 AED ($136).Those who participate in any public gatherings, conferences, or parties will be fined 5,000 AED each ($1,361), while the organizers of these gatherings will be fined 10,000 AED ($2723).Fines will be doubled in case of a repeated offense, and violators will also have to cover the costs of treating any of the damages that result from their actions, the public prosecution said.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: 0 fine for walking next to others, ,360 for partying in UAE

Actor delivered the message in a video released by Dubai Media Office
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: 'Stay in your homes' Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan tells Dubai residents

Saudi Arabia reported 99 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, as the number of virus-related deaths rose in the Kingdom rose to four.The total number of cases in Saudi Arabia is 1,203, the Ministry of Health said.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page. Out of the 99 new cases, 10 are related to travel and were quarantined upon their arrival, while 89 cases are of individuals who had direct contact with people who were previously infected, the ministry added.In Riyadh, 41 cases were reported, and another 18 cases were found in Jeddah.Out of the 99 cases, 12 were confirmed in Mecca, 12 in al-Qatif, and 6 in Medina.Three coronavirus cases were reported in Tabuk, one in Abha, and another was confirmed in Khobar.Three cases were also reported in Khamis Mushait, one in Hufof, and another one in Saihat.A total of 37 people have recovered from coronavirus in Saudi Arabia, according to the ministry.Want to find out more about precautionary measures in the Kingdom? Read this: Timeline: Here are all the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to combat the coronavirus“Do not underestimate the preventative measures,” the ministry said, calling on citizens and residents regularly wash their hands and avoid touching their mouth, face, and nose.The ministry urged all citizens and residents who show symptoms of coronavirus to self-isolate.Those who are symptomatic should wear a face mask to prevent spreading the virus, the ministry added.Read more: Watch: Saudi Arabia’s biggest cities empty after coronavirus curfewCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman orders lockdown in Riyadh, Mecca, MedinaCoronavirus in Saudi Arabia: 10,000 riyal fine, jail time for curfew violators
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia confirms 99 new cases, death toll reaches 4