Middle East Experience

Three pharmacies in Dubai have been fined for increasing the prices of face masks and sanitizers, the UAE’s official Emirates News Agency (WAM) cited Dubai Economy as saying on Tuesday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.“The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector at Dubai Economy has imposed fines on three pharmacies, in Jumeirah, Al Khawaneej and Mirdif, for tampering with the prices of face masks and sanitizers,” WAM reported.Two of the pharmacies had been tampering with the price of face masks, while the third was selling sanitizers at a higher price without properly invoicing the purchases, the CCCP said.Authorities had launched an investigation after several costumers complained about the price hikes.“A repeat offense would attract double the fines and may lead to closing down the outlet,” the CCCP.Dubai Economy urged businesses in the country to refrain from tampering with pries of face masks, sanitizers, and disinfectants, as hundreds of people in the UAE rush to buy products amid the coronavirus outbreak.It also called on pharmacies and medical suppliers to reduce the prices of disinfectants as a demonstration of their “social responsibility,” WAM reported.The UAE has reported a total of 611 coronavirus cases and five deaths so far.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Three pharmacies in Dubai fined for increasing prices of face masks

Saudi Arabia recorded 110 new cases of the deadly coronavirus in the last 24 hours, raising the total number of cases in the Kingdom to 1,563, the Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday.Two new deaths were also reported, bringing the death toll in the country to 10, the ministry said.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page. The two new deaths were of residents in Medina who had tested positive for the virus.Out of the 110 new cases 33 were reported in Riyadh, 29 in Jeddah, 20 in Mecca, seven in al-Qatif, and four in Khobar.Three cases were also confirmed in Dammam, three in Medina, two in Hufof, two in Dhahran, and another two in Jazan, the ministry added.One case was found in al-Badaea, one in Abha, and one in Khamis Mushait, according to the ministry.One case was also recorded in Ras Tanura, and another was reported in al-Khafji.The ministry also confirmed that 165 people have recovered from the coronavirus.Taking strict measures The Kingdom has ramped up its efforts to curb the outbreak by taking strict measures.Saudi Arabia banned residents in the Jeddah governorate from entering or exiting on Sunday, and moved up the start time of the curfew to 3 p.m. instead of 7 p.m.Last week, King Salman approved measures to prohibit everyone in the Kingdom from traveling between its 13 provinces. Riyadh Mecca, and Medina have also been placed on lockdown. Read more: Coronavirus: Saudi's King Salman orders treatment for all, including visa violatorsTimeline: Here are all the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to combat the coronavirus
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia records 110 new cases, with two new deaths

The UAE has brought 1,743 of its citizens and their companions home from abroad in 39 evacuation trips as international travel becomes increasingly difficult under the coronavirus pandemic, according to a foreign ministry authority via the country’s official Emirates News Agency (WAM) on Tuesday.The spread of coronavirus, technically known as COVID-19, across the globe has prompted countries including the UAE to temporarily shut their airports and impose travel restrictions. Following the call for citizens to return home on March 17, the UAE has carried out a number of missions to bring them back.According to Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Khaled Abdullah Belhoul, 39 evacuation trips have been successfully completed, with another 25 planned over the next few days.Belhoul also said that the foreign ministry was working with other authorities to monitor developments and ensure Emiratis could return to the UAE safely.Read more:Coronavirus: UAE death toll reaches five with 611 confirmed casesCoronavirus: UAE extends residence permits expiring March 1 for a renewable 3 monthsCoronavirus: Movement in Dubai’s al-Ras to be restricted for two weeks Expo 2020 Dubai committee recommends one-year delay for world fairPrecautionary measures in the countryThe UAE launched on Thursday March 26 a three-day nationwide disinfection campaign which was later extended till April 5, during which the authorities urged people to stay home from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. everyday.All malls, shopping centers, commercial centers, and open markets except for fish, vegetable, and meat markets will be closed for two weeks from March 23.Restaurants will also only be limited to delivery for the two-week period.The UAE ordered on March 16 all hotels to close their pubs, bars, and lounges. Gyms, electronic gaming centers, and spring camps will also be closed until the end of the month.Public beaches, swimming pools, cinemas, theme parks, and tourist attractions are also closed until the end of March.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE repatriates 1,743 people, 25 more trips planned, says ministry

The UAE reported 53 new cases of the coronavirus and one new death, the Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday.The total number of confirmed cases in the country is 664, while the virus-related death toll stands at six, according to the ministry spokeswoman Farida al-Hussani.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The new death is of a 67-year-old of Asian origins who had several chronic illnesses before he was infected.The new cases include people who interacted with previously infected individuals who did not adhere to self-isolation and social distancing practices, al-Hussani said. Some of the newly infected people had also traveled to virus-hit countries, she added. The new cases include one Filipino, an Algerian national, a Lebanese national, one Pakistani nationals, and an Iranian national. Among the 53 cases are a Kuwaiti, a Swiss national, a Turkish national, an Italian national, and an American. The ministry also reported that two Egyptians, three British nationals, four Emirati citizens, and 31 Indians were infected with the virus. All the new cases are currently stable and under the care of health authorities. Precautionary measures A nation-wide curfew was extended for an additional week from the hours of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day until April 5.The UAE also 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.These include fines for not adhering to social distancing practices, and not wearing a mask in closed spaces.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE reports 53 new cases, one new death

25 evacuation missions are still underway and expected to be completed in the coming days
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: UAE has evacuated 1,743 people from abroad during Covid-19 crisis

Business hours have also been amended at others from April 1-9
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Dubai's RTA to close selection of customer happiness centres

Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services operates vehicles in over 100 locations across the emirate
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Coronavirus: Cafu to deliver free fuel to Dubai's ambulance fleet

There were 53 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed in the UAE, as well as one new fatality
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: New coronavirus cases, deaths reported in UAE and Saudi Arabia

According to anonymous sources cited by Bloomberg, the company is working with an adviser to gauge buyer interest in NMC Trading
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: NMC Health said to mull sale of its distribution business

Shortly before the UK government announced new rescue efforts for stranded nationals, Arab UK citizens told The New Arab of the difficulties they faced being stuck overseas..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Stranded British-Arabs grow weary of overseas coronavirus limbo, as UK pledges more rescue flights