Middle East Experience

Saudi Arabia canceled “Jeddah Season”, a weeks-long entertainment and cultural festival in the Red Sea port city, as part of measures to curb the coronavirus outbreak, state television reported on Thursday.International super stars including 50 Cent, Tyga, Amr Diab, DJ Marshmello, and South Korean pop bands Super Junior and Stray Kids were some of the headliners during the 6-week festival in its first season in 2019.This year's event was set to take place in the months of June and July.Saudi Arabia has taken significant measures over the past few weeks to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. All malls were ordered to shut down, and restaurants and cafes were banned fro serving food unless it it a take-out order or delivery.International flights to and from Saudi Arabia were also suspended as of March 15.The Kingdom reported a total of 238 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Tuesday.- With Reuters
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s ‘Jeddah Season’ festival canceled

Problems pile up as founder of NMC Health and UAE Exchange faces at least five cases in the UAE
Source: Arabian Business
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International Labour Organisation reveals extent of the economic and labour crisis created by the Covid-19 pandemic
Source: Arabian Business
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International Air Transport Association delivers bleak forecast for regional aviation industry as the coronavirus continues to hit hard
Source: Arabian Business
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Khurram Shroff has announced that he has joined Vaxbio, a biotechnology company based in England, as its strategic advisor
Source: Arabian Business
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Health Ministry announces a further 149 deaths related to Covid-19 as total infections soar to over 18,400
Source: Arabian Business
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Saudi Arabia confirmed two new coronavirus recoveries on Thursday, bringing the total number to eight, according to the health ministry.All 238 confirmed coronavirus cases are receiving appropriate medical care with only two people in critical conditions, a health ministry spokesman said during a televised press conference.He also said that early detection is beneficial to those infected in helping in the recovery process.Read more: Saudi Arabia suspends prayers at mosques to stop spread of coronavirusSaudi Arabia has implemented significant measures to help fight the spread of the new coronavirus. All international flights to and from the Kingdom were banned Sunday. Malls were ordered to close.Restaurants and cafes can no longer serve food and can only prepare food for take-out or deliveries.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia confirms eight recoveries

Oman asked tourist groups to leave the country and return home on Wednesday, due to the unpredictable circumstances of the coronavirus outbreak.Oman “notes the need to provide advice and guidance to tourist groups…to leave the Sultanate and return to their countries due to the lack of clarity of the period in which these exceptional circumstances may continue,” its Ministry of Tourism said in a post on Twitter.“It is not clear how long the current situation may last…We wish them all safe journeys back to their homelands, and we hope to welcome them back again in the Sultanate in the near future, in better circumstances,” it added in a statement.Oman, which has confirmed 39 cases of coronavirus, has banned the entry of foreigners and restricted its citizens from leaving the country.Other preventative measures taken include suspending public transportation including bus, ferries, and taxis – and closing mosques, restaurants, coffee shops. Groceries and pharmacies remain open.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Oman urges tourist groups to depart country due to coronavirus

The United Arab Emirates announced 27 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 140, according to the health ministry.The UAE recorded a total of 31 recoveries as of Thursday.Find out the latest coronavirus news at our dedicated site.The spokesperson said even though the death rate is low, it is still necessary to take action to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.Read more: UAE bans residents from returning to the country for two weeksShe added that social distancing is an effective way to fight the spread of the coronavirus.The UAE earlier on Thursday banned residents from entering the country for two weeks in the latest measure to combat the spread of the new virus. Citizens are also banned from traveling abroad after previously calling on any residents abroad to return home.Read more: UAE bans citizens from traveling abroad over coronavirus fears
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE announces 27 new cases, total now 140

‘We will resume the suspended flights as soon as the situation normalises,’..
Source: Albawaba
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