Manama: Restrictions have been made more stringent in the Gulf as part of preventing further outbreaks of Covid-19. A partial curfew has been imposed in Kuwait from 5 pm to 4 am starting Sunday. Saudi Arabia will impose a three-week curfew from Monday to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have asked the people to stay at home. Oman has stopped printing and distribution of all publications, including newspapers. Qatar and Oman have banned gatherings at public places. Gatherings of more than five people have been banned in Bahrain.
Quoting a royal decree issued King Salman, the official news agency SPA said the curfew would start at 7 pm local time until 6 am every day for 21 days from March 23. The royal order urged citizens and residents to stay at home during the curfew and not to venture out except for emergency.
The Ministry of Interior called on civil and military authorities to co-operate with the measures, SPA reported on Sunday. Sectors like food (point of sale), health, media, and transportation have been exempted from the curfew, according to the Ministry of Interior.
Saudi Arabia on Monday reported 51 fresh cases of COVI-19, bringing the total number of patients to 562 in the kingdom. Saudi authorities repeatedly warned the public not to violate the restrictions. Public transport was suspended in Saudi from Saturday.
An emergency meeting of the Kuwait Cabinet decided to impose the 11-hour partial curfew in Kuwait, said state news agency KUNA. The decision was made in the wake of “some manifestations of non-compliance with precautionary measures,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Anas al-Salih.
The curfew came into effect on Sunday. Violation of the curfew can result in imprisonment up to three years and a fine of 10,000 Kuwaiti dinars. Kuwait’s Cabinet also extended the leave of public sector employees for two weeks. All health centres, clinics and laboratories except private hospitals in Kuwait will remain closed.
Bahrain has stepped up its effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. On Sunday, Bahrain announced a temporary shutdown of retail outlets for two weeks starting from Thursday. Hypermarkets, cold stores, bakeries, pharmacies and banks have been exempted from the shutdown, which will continue until April 9. Public gatherings have been limited to five people and the police warned that strict measures would be taken against violators. Bahrain on Sunday reported the second death from coronavirus in the country, and 23 new cases bringing the tally to 183 cases. The first gulf COVID-19 death was reported in Bahrain six days ago.
The 25th running of Dubai World Cup 2020 meeting scheduled for this Saturday was cancelled, according to the Meydan Group LLC. The UAE has asked its people to stay at home and to avoid travel outside.
All commercial centres including malls in the UAE will close for the next two weeks, subject to renewal, state news agency WAM reported. All public and private beaches, swimming pools, public parks, cinemas, and fitness centres in the UAE were closed for 15 days from Sunday. Strict restrictions were imposed on restaurants. Only 20 per cent of customers would be allowed to eat in restaurants. The UAE Ministry of Health has instructed people to sit two meters apart in restaurants. UAE on Monday confirmed 45 new coronavirus cases including 7 Indians bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 198, according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP). This is the highest single-day number since the start of the outbreak in January 29.
The Sultanate of Oman's Supreme Committee has tightened measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. All money exchanges in the country should be closed. Instead, the banks should provide exchange services, with the necessary precautions to be taken to prevent the spread of the pandemic. The supreme committee limited staffing at state entities and banned gatherings of all kinds in public places, and warned appropriate measures will be taken against violators. The committee has encouraged the number of employees to increase work at home. The electronic payment should be extended to replace the notes as they are at risk of virus. The Ministry of Human Resources in the sultanate has directed foreign workers in Oman to stay at home after work hours. Those who violate the restrictions will invite legal action.
The sultanate has recorded the least infections, currently standing at 66, among the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council where the total number of cases of the virus has crossed 1,500, with four deaths.
In Qatar, 80 per cent of public sector employees started working from home. Hotels and cafes will be closed in various areas. Anyone violating the ban of gathering in public places will be arrested, authorities warned. But travel by car, bus and truck is not forbidden.
The UAE on Sunday decided to suspend all passenger flights and the transit of airline passengers for two weeks in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Civil Aviation Authority announced. The suspension applies to all inbound and outbound passenger flights and will take effect in 48 hours.
