DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – The Gulf states on Thursday launched new restrictions on fears of a coronavirus resurgence in their countries.
With populations that include mainly young and healthy foreign workers, many Gulf countries have avoided the highest number of deaths seen in other parts of the world. However, the number of reported cases seems to be increasing since the new year, raising concern, even though several regional countries have some of the highest vaccination rates per capita in the world.
In Saudi Arabia, where officials have already banned travel to the kingdom from 20 countries, including the United States, officials have also ordered the suspension of all weddings and parties. It closed all shopping malls, gyms and other places for 10 days, as well as indoor restaurants. Authorities warned that the new measures could be extended.
The kingdom also ordered cemeteries to ensure that funerals at the edge of the grave are at a distance of 100 meters (328 feet) between them.
The state-run Saudi Press Agency attributed the new procedures “to the emergence of indicators of an increase in the epidemic curve in some regions of Saudi Arabia, caused by the negligent implementation of preventive and precautionary measures and approved protocols.”
Saudi Arabia had a peak in coronavirus cases in June. The kingdom reduced the number of cases reported daily to less than 100 in early January, but reported more than 300 cases on Wednesday alone, according to government statistics.
Overall, the kingdom reported more than 368,000 cases of COVID-19, with 6,380 deaths.
In Kuwait, authorities have ordered a two-week ban on foreigners arriving in the country from Sunday. Separately, authorities ordered most companies to close from 8 pm to 5 am, starting on Sunday of next month. It closed gyms, spas and gyms, as well as banned the celebrations of its next National Day, February 25.
“Non-compliance and recklessness can take the country back to square one in its fight against the pandemic,” said Kuwait’s health minister, Basel Al Sabah, according to state news agency KUNA.
Kuwait also saw the number of cases drop from the end of November, only to start increasing after the new year. The small nation reported more than 166,000 cases of the coronavirus, with 950 deaths.
Qatar also announced new restrictions on daily life on Wednesday, although not as severe as other countries. In Doha, the state-owned Qatar News Agency quoted the chairman of task force COVID-19, Dr. Abdullatif al-Khal, warning that “there has been a notable increase in the number of infections and the reproductive factor of the virus, the which can be an early indicator of a possible second wave. “
Qatar has also seen cases start to increase after the new year. Overall, the country has reported more than 152,000 cases of the virus, with 240 deaths.
Oman, which has closed its land borders since mid-January but has kept its flights running, has alerted its public that cases are continuing to rise. He also reported the discovery of cases of people infected with coronavirus variants.
Oman’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Saidi, also said earlier this week that “some people (have) removed their tracking bracelet after arriving at the country’s border crossings and placing it on elderly people who don’t usually leave the house ”To avoid quarantine, according to the Times of Oman. The sultanate requires people to be quarantined at home for a week after entering the country.
Oman has reported more than 134,000 cases of coronavirus, with 1,500 deaths attributed to the virus.
Earlier this week, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which opened as an international travel destination in July, closed all bars and pubs throughout February and limited other activities after an increase in coronavirus cases following the celebrations of the new Year’s Eve. Visitors from all over the world.
Dubai officials have also warned hotels and restaurants to “postpone any activity that leads to large gatherings, such as weekend brunches,” reported the state newspaper The National. Dubai alcohol-soaked weekend brunches, which offer unlimited food and drinks, were taking place in some restaurants and bars despite the pandemic.
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