Middle East Experience

The Iranian government's decision to close religious shrines in Qom, Mashhad and Greater Tehran to combat the spread of COVID-19 has caused an outcry among some who oppose the move for reasons of tradition or religion.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Why some Iranians are opposed to closing religious shrines to fight coronavirus

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and Turkish-backed rebels have reopened trade crossings in northern Aleppo, bringing a sigh of relief to residents.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Profit, necessity spur trade across conflict lines in north Aleppo

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip had been shrugging off a lockdown announced by PA, saying Gaza had no virus cases.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: After bragging about being virus-free, first COVID-19 cases confirmed in Gaza

Organizers of the Expo 2020 global trade fair, set to launch in Dubai in October, said Sunday that they will “reassess and adjust” preparations due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Dubai, which boasts the most diversified economy in the Gulf, is hosting the six-month Expo, with the hope of attracting around 25 million visitors.“As we continue to prepare for this event, we will reassess and adjust planned preparations, as changing circumstances require,” organizers said in a statement.“Expo 2020 Dubai is closely monitoring ongoing developments and taking all sensible precautions to manage and mitigate the risk to everyone involved in the Expo.”But the statement did not clarify the nature of the changes.Dubai, known for hosting hundreds of conferences annually, has scrapped a string of cultural and entertainment events in recent weeks but has not announced any plans to postpone the much-anticipated Expo.The United Arab Emirates on Friday announced its first two deaths from the COVID-19 disease, having reported more than 150 infections so far.Read more:Coronavirus: UAE urges citizens, residents to stay home to contain outbreakCoronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman orders curfew for 21 daysCoronavirus: UAE to close all malls, shopping centers for 2 weeks in 48 hours
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Dubai Expo 2020 to ‘adjust’ preparations due to coronavirus      

Citizens, residents, and visitors of the United Arab Emirates should refrain from going out except if necessary or for work reasons, the Ministry of Interior and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) said on Monday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page. The announcement is the latest measure being implemented in the country in an effort to combat the deadly coronavirus.There have been 153 reported cases of the virus in the UAE and two deaths.“The UAE Ministry of Interior and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority calls upon citizens, residents, and visitors to not leave their homes except if necessary or for work reasons,” said the NCEMA.The authorities also instructed people to wear face masks and follow health instructions.Precautionary measures All malls, shopping centers, commercial centers, and open markets except for fish, vegetable, and meat markets will be closed for two weeks, the Ministry of Health announced early on Monday.Restaurants will also only be limited to delivery for the two-week period.The UAE suspended all passenger and transit flights to and from the country for two weeks over coronavirus fears, state news agency WAM reported on Sunday citing the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the NCEMA.The UAE on March 16 ordered all hotels to close their pubs, bars, and lounges. Gyms, electronic gaming centers, and spring camps have also been asked to close until the end of the month.Public beaches, swimming pools, cinemas, theme parks, and tourist attractions will also be closed until the end of March.Reassurances from the Crown PrinceThe United Arab Emirates is “infinitely” prepared to supply everyone in the country with food and medicine, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said last week, amid fears about a shortage of supplies around the world due to coronavirus.“I’d like to reassure every citizen and resident of the UAE that our Country is infinitely able to supply everyone with all the food and medicine they could ever need. We are well prepared to face any challenge that arises,” the crown prince said.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE urges citizens, residents to stay home to contain outbreak

All those who violate the curfew implemented in Saudi Arabia from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. for the next 21 days will be fined 10,000 riyals ($2,663) and could face jail time if they repeatedly break the law, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior announced on Monday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page. Second-time violators will also be forced to pay double the amount of the initial fine, the ministry said.King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Sunday announced the implementation of a nation-wide curfew for 11 hours every night to prevent the deadly coronavirus from spreading further.Saudi Arabia on Monday reported 51 new cases of the virus, raising the total number of cases in the Kingdom to 562.Authorities urged citizens and residents to stay at home during the hours between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., and not to go outside unless necessary.Thirty-three percent of coronavirus infections in the Kingdom are a result of people coming into direct contact with previously infected individuals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi banks to postpone repayment of loans for health employeesCoronavirus: Kuwait implements 11-hour curfew until further notice
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus in Saudi Arabia: 10,000 riyal fine, jail time for curfew violators

Saudi Arabia confirmed 51 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the Kingdom to 562, the spokesman for the Ministry of Health Mohammed al-Abd al-Ali said on Monday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page. Out of the 51 new cases, 18 are located in Riyadh, 12 are located in Mecca, three are located in al-Taif, and five are located in Bishah, al-Abd al-Ali said.Three new cases were reported in Damman, another three were found in al-Qatif, two were found in Jizan, he added.One additional case was found in Najran, and one other case was also reported in al-Qunfuthah.Saudi Arabia also confirmed that a total of 19 people in the Kingdom have recovered from coronavirus.King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Sunday announced the implementation of a nation-wide curfew, the latest measure in Saudi Arabia to prevent the virus from spreading.All those who violate the curfew implemented in Saudi Arabia from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. for the next 21 days will be fined 10,000 riyals ($2,663) and could face jail time if they repeatedly break the law, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior announced on Monday.Second-time violators will also be forced to pay double the amount of the initial fine, the ministry said.Authorities urged citizens and residents to stay at home during the hours between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., and not to go outside unless necessary.Thirty-three percent of coronavirus infections in the Kingdom are a result of people coming into direct contact with previously infected individuals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia reports 51 new cases, bringing total to 562

The United Arab Emirates reported 45 new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 198, the Ministry of Health spokeswoman Dr. Farida al-Hosani said on Monday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page. All 45 people are currently in stable conditions, she added.The new cases are of people from the Philippines, Iraq, Tunisia, Syria, Kuwait, Italy, Peru, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Somalia, and the United Kingdom, according to al-Hosani.The ministry also confirmed that two Canadians, three Bangladeshis, four Pakistanis, seven Emirati nationals, four Americans, and seven Indians have also been infected.Residents from Sudan, Egypt, Ireland, Russia, Herzegovina, France, and Poland also have the virus, al-Hosani added.One of the new cases is of a recent travel who did not follow self-isolation protocols, and infected 17 of his family members, friends, and coworkers.The UAE had earlier called on citizens, residents, and tourists to stay home unless necessary or for work reasons.Al-Hosani warned that violators may be subject to legal actions as per the UAE law to combat communicable diseases.Precautionary measures All malls, shopping centers, commercial centers, and open markets except for fish, vegetable, and meat markets will be closed for two weeks, the Ministry of Health announced early on Monday.Restaurants will also only be limited to delivery for the two-week period.The UAE suspended all passenger and transit flights to and from the country for two weeks over coronavirus fears, state news agency WAM reported on Sunday citing the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the NCEMA.The UAE on March 16 ordered all hotels to close their pubs, bars, and lounges. Gyms, electronic gaming centers, and spring camps have also been asked to close until the end of the month.Public beaches, swimming pools, cinemas, theme parks, and tourist attractions will also be closed until the end of March.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE records 45 new cases, raising total to 198

Local airline staff have refused to fly to Europe over fears they could catch the novel coronavirus, the British embassy has said..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Britons stranded in Tunisia as airline crew refuses to fly to Europe over coronavirus fears

The Central Bank on Monday asked banks and financial institutions operating in the country to extend exceptionally, on their own responsibility, loans in Lebanese pounds or US dollars..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: BDL ask banks to provide zero percent interest loans for companies unable to meet obligations