COVID-19 Arab Monitor (COV-AM)
The COVID-19 Arab Monitor is an initiative of the Global Health Institute at the American University of Beirut which aims at highlighting the response to COVID-19 across the twenty-two countries in the Arab Region. The Arab Region, which is home to a total population of 423 million, has been hit by the Coronavirus epidemic in escalating numbers.
The COVID-19 Arab Monitor will tackle the regional response to the virus across three strands:
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- An up-to-date automated live feed of emerging cases in the region across the 22 states.
- COVID-19 visualizations exploring the disease dynamics in the Arab world
- A timeline of each state’s official government directives in the areas of COVID-19 response.
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COVID-19 Visualizations Exploring the Disease Dynamics in the Arab World
The COVID-19 Timeline of Responses in the Arab World
The following timelines depict developments in the areas of Health, Education, Politics, Economics and Travel Restrictions in each of the Arab states. Each timeline is composed of governmental directives, official decisions and initiatives.
2021
Algeria partially reopens air travel after 14-month shutdown.
Algeria allocates mobile COVID-19 vaccination centers.
Algeria cancels plans to reopen land borders.
Algeria has recorded the first two cases of the new UK coronavirus strain, said a medical institute specialized in epidemiology.
The Minister of Pharmaceutical industry, Lotfi Benbahmed, announced that from September Algeria will start to locally produce the Russian Sputnik V Vaccine. These vaccines, produced by the public pharmaceutical group Saidal, will be supplied to Algeria as well as other African countries.
twenty-six Algerian citizens are stuck at Charles De Gaulle airport (Paris) since February 26. They were returning home from the UK, but their flight to Algeria was cancelled due to new travel restrictions in the country. They were told by Algerian authorities to fly back to the UK until the ban will be lifted, but they refused and are asking to fly to Algeria.
Thousands of anti-government protesters took the streets in cities across Algeria on Friday, confirming the revival of their weekly pro-democracy demonstrations after a yearlong hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Protesters in the capital, Algiers, rallied for the second time this week, despite a ban on large gatherings over fears of COVID-19.
Algeria has recorded the first two cases of the new UK coronavirus strain, said a medical institute specialized in epidemiology.
A donation of Chinese Sinopharm coronavirus vaccines arrived in Algeria, this is the thrid batch of 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine recieved by Algeria.
Thousands of people demonstrated on Tuesday in the Algerian town of Kherrata to voice support for the Hirak protest movement that ousted Algeria’s veteran president in 2019 before the COVID-19 crisis forced it off the streets last year.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune,75, returned home after hospitalization in Germany for complications in his foot resulting from a Coronavirus infection.
Expanding its vaccine assistance in Africa, China has said that it will send COVID-19 vaccines to Algeria and Ethiopia.
Algeria is demanding that former colonial power France clean up radioactive contamination caused by nuclear tests it conducted decades ago in the south of the country, and pay compensation to victims. “France has to assume its historical responsibilities and decontaminates the sites where conducted nuclear tests in the 1960s,” a high-ranking Algerian army official said.
Algeria reported 275 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total infections in the North African country to 108,116.
The first dose of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine going to a 65-year-old retiree at a health unit in the town Bilda situated at about 40 kilometres southwest of the capital, Algiers.
Algeria reported 245 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total infections in the country to 105,369.
Algeria will share its COVID-19 vaccine doses with Tunisia in the spirit of fraternity between the two countries — as confirmed by the Tuniaisan Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune flew back to Germany for treatment regarding complications in his foot resulting from a coronavirus infection.
Algeria has registered Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine for use, becoming the first African country to do so. Russia said last month it had signed a contract with Algeria to supply it with the vaccine.
2020
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has returned home after receiving coronavirus treatment in Germany for two months.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced that the country’s borders will remain closed until the end of the pandemic. Non-cargo international air and maritime travel, as well as domestic flights, also remain suspended. Individuals permitted to enter Algeria, including returning Algerian nationals and foreign travelers, will be required to quarantine for seven days in a government-designated hotel followed by seven days self-isolation at a location of the traveler’s choosing.
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2021
A man in Bahrain was fined 5000 Bahraini dinars and sentenced to 3 years in prison for breaking COVID-19 rules.
Bahrain plans Pfizer booster shot for those vaccinated with the Sinopharm COVID shot.
Bahrain daily COVID-19 deaths see new record (28) as infections surge.
Bahrain restricts access for unvaccinated persons due to the rise of COVID-19 cases.
Authorities announced that starting from Eid al-Fitr many indoor attractions (e.g., gyms, cinemas, swimming pools) will reopen to people who demonstrate to have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19. In the meantime, the country is facing a new rise in infections.
The Covid-19 outbreak in the overcrowded Jaw prison caused protests against inmates’ conditions in the capital Manama. This led the government to announce the release of 126 prisoners.
Authorities report to have isolated and treated inmates positive to Covid-19 in a prison that is facing an outbreak. In the last months, human rights organizations and opposition groups have denounced the poor prison conditions and called for the release of prisoners to respond to lower the overcrowding.
Bahrain has approved the use of Johnson and Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine. It is the fifth vaccine introduced in the Kingdom in response to the pandemic.
Bahrain has introduced additional measures for incoming travellers, according to the National Medical Taskforce for Combating Covid-19, all travellers coming into the kingdom will be subject to a PCR test on the fifth day of arrival, in addition to mandatory PCR screening upon arrival, the kingdom’s health ministry has tweeted. Meanwhile, the cost of the Covid-19 PCR test is to be reduced to BHD36.
Bahrain launched a digital Covid Vaccine Passport; an App that enables people to show immunity status two weeks after recieving both doses of the vaccine, when antibodies have started developing.
Bahrain’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic will be gradual, with growth projected at 3.3% this year after a 5.4% contraction in 2020, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Bahrain has authorized Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, Bahrain TV’s twitter account said.
Bahrain will reintroduce restrictions for two weeks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus after a sharp rise in cases over the past month. The kingdom has ordered indoor gyms, sports halls and swimming pools to close and social gatherings in homes to be limited to up to 30 people until Feb. 21. It is also limiting outdoor group exercise to 30 people, while government institutions and entities must allow up to 70% of employees to work from home.
Bahrain has received its first delivery of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII), state media said on Thursday.
Bahrain has approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, state news agency BNA reported, citing the Gulf country’s National Health Regulatory Authority.
Bahrain sold $2 billion in three-tranche bonds on Wednesday, a document showed, after the coronavirus pandemic and low oil prices exacerbated its fiscal deficit and pushed total outstanding debt to nearly $40 billion.
2020
Bahrain’s National Health Regulatory Authority said it had approved the registration of a coronavirus vaccine developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group
Bahrain has started vaccinating frontline workers with a Chinese COVID-19 vaccine, the latest country to take the unusual step of granting emergency approval for a shot before finishing safety and efficacy tests.
HRH The Crown Prince urges for the commitment for two more weeks to safeguard the community.
Mainly due to the widespread restrictions imposed on tourists, hotel and restaurants and other related economic activities in the country due to COVID-19 virus, Bahrain’s economy contracted by 8.9% year on year in the second quarter. Hotel and restaurant activity declined by 61.3% compared to the same period a year earlier.
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2021
Egypt will produce its own vaccine within a few days.
Egypt and China governments towards an agreement to start to produce the Chinese vaccine Sinovac in Egypt’s Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA). Egypt hopes to become a manufacturing centre of the vaccine, both for local use and export to African countries.
Coronavirus cases fall in Egypt as its third wave ebbs.
Egypt and China governments towards an agreement to start to produce the Chinese vaccine Sinovac in Egypt’s Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA). Egypt hopes to become a manufacturing centre of the vaccine, both for local use and export to African countries.
Egypt to lift all coronavirus restrictions as of June 1.
The Presidential Adviser for Health Affairs Mohamed Awad Tageldin reported that Egypt is currently facing a third wave of the pandemic, with a new rise of infections. He also raised concern about the surge in infections that the country could experience during Ramadan, due to family gatherings.
Egypt and China governments towards an agreement to start to produce the Chinese vaccine Sinovac in Egypt’s Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA). Egypt hopes to become a manufacturing centre of the vaccine, both for local use and export to African countries.
Egypt received 854,400 of the AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX initiative.
Egypt and China governments towards an agreement to start to produce the Chinese vaccine Sinovac in Egypt’s Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA). Egypt hopes to become a manufacturing centre of the vaccine, both for local use and export to African countries.
Egypt is about to start phase 1 clinical trials on its locally developed vaccine, called Covi Vax. Developed by the National Research Centre, it is the first vaccine to reach this phase in a Middle East country.
Egypt and China governments towards an agreement to start to produce the Chinese vaccine Sinovac in Egypt’s Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA). Egypt hopes to become a manufacturing centre of the vaccine, both for local use and export to African countries.
Egypt received the second batch of Sinopharm vaccine. This 300,000 doses shipment is donated by China as part of its diplomacy campaign.
Online registration for vaccination will begin next week, with priority for the elderly and those with chronic diseases, she added.
Egypt will receive 6.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, said Health and Population Minister Hala Zayed.
Online registration for vaccination will begin next week, with priority for the elderly and those with chronic diseases, she added.
Deputy Director of Hawamdiya Isolation Hospital Mustafa Abdel-Wahed in Giza Governorate was infected with coronavirus, few days after he received Chinese Sinopharm vaccine.
Egypt’s central bank kept its key interest rates on hold on Thursday, saying inflation was below target and leading indicators showed the economy had recovered in the last quarter of 2020. The bank’s monetary policy committee held the overnight lending rate at 9.25% and the overnight deposit rate at 8.25% for a second consecutive time after cutting rates in September and November.
Egypt received its first 50,000-dose shipment of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine this week as part of its programme to vaccinate health workers, the cabinet said on Tuesday.
Officials have been unveiling new archaeological discoveries in an effort to revive visitor numbers, and hope the delayed opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum next to the pyramids, expected later this year, will help the tourism sector recover.
Egypt began vaccinating frontline medical staff against COVID-19 using the vaccine developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).
Egypt reopened its airspace to Qatari flights and will allow the resumption of air traffic between the two countries as part of a thaw in relations with the Gulf state.
Egypt will get 40 million vials via GAVI for 20 million people or 20% of the 100 million population.
2020
Total of 103,781 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 5,990 deaths in Egypt.
Egypt to test two coronavirus vaccines on volunteers.
Friday Prayers to be resumed under strict measures.
Friday Masses to Resume at Coptic Egyptian Churches in September.
Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population announced the reinstatement of 21 isolation hospitals only a few weeks after they were shut down.
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2021
Vaccines smuggled from Iraq to Iran are being sold to wealthy Iranians.
Iraq receives medical supplies from Poland and NATO.
On Sunday, Iraq received nearly 250,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines. 49,000 doses were purchased from Pfizer-BioNTech, 200,000 were Sinopharm vaccines donated by China.
Iraq received the first 336,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines through the COVAX initiative. To this moment, the country had received 50,000 doses donated from China.
The number of Covid cases in the country exceeded 800,000. The Heath Ministry warns against the possible collapse of the healthcare system if the cases continue to rise.
Iraq is experiencing a new rise in Covid-19 cases. However, the government announced it will ease the restrictions, starting March 22, to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic.
The Pope’s visit to Iraq results in mass gatherings. 10,000 people gathered in Erbil’s stadium to see the Pope. Despite the measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus, many inside the stadium did not wear protective masks.
Four anti-government protesters were killed Friday in clashes with Iraqi security forces in Nasiriyah, medics said, the deadliest day in a week of violence in the southern city.
The Iranian police announced on Thursday a travel ban on four provinces and seven cities to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The four provinces include the Khuzestan Province bordering Iraq, and the northern provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan, as well as Teymour Hosseini.
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Iran surpassed 1.6 million on Thursday after 8,206 new infections were confirmed. Meanwhile, Iraq issued new restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, said the total number of COVID-19 cases in Iran surged to 1,607,081, while its death toll climbed by 94 to 59,830.
Iraq’s Ministry of Health has said that 50 percent of new COVID-19 cases are from the UK strain of the virus.
Iraq will re-impose partial lockdown measures until early March after detecting a new strain of the coronavirus, including among children, its health minister announced.
Iran’s oil reserves risk becoming stranded assets unless the new U.S. administration eases sanctions that have left the country lagging rivals in output capacity and losing a race against time as the transition to low carbon energy gathers pace.
Pope Francis said on Monday he is intent on making a trip to Iraq next month even if it means many Iraqi Christians won’t be able to see him in person because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for two suicide bombers who attacked a market in Iraq’s capital Thursday, killing at least 32 people and wounding 110 others.
Iraq‘s national authority for drug selection has approved UK’s AstraZeneca/University of Oxford and China’s Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines for emergency use in the country.
Pope Francis said he is not sure if his trip to Iraq in March can take place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as he does not want to be the cause of big gatherings. It would have been the first time the Pope would visit Iraq.
2020
Iraq has registered so far 588,803 corona virus infections including 21,744 deaths and 527,341 recoveries.
Iraq is banning air travel to or from eight countries to guard against the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus. The two-week travel prohibition comes into effect on Dec. 24 and covers Britain, South Africa, Australia, Denmark, Iran, Japan, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Iraq’s health ministry said on Monday it had agreed with Pfizer to import 1.5 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine, the state news agency reported.
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2021
UNICEF helping Jordan’s Ministry of Health to reach everyone eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, especially refugees.
Amman received the first batch of Sinopharm vaccines purchased from China.
Jordanian Government announced a stimulus package of JD448 million ($631m) to bolster the economy hit by the Covid pandemic.
UNICEF donated 1.3 million syringes to Jordan’s Ministry of Health to support the Covid-19 vaccination campaign. Earlier this week, the organization also donated PPE addressed to frontline healthcare workers.
Jordan reports 111 Covid deaths in the last 24 hours: it is the highest daily number of fatalities from the beginning of the pandemic.
After renovation, the Jordan Red Crescent’s hospital in Amman is going to reopen, with a Covid-19 equipped to host 30 patients.
Jordan’s Health Minister Nathir Obeidat resigned after the death of patients in Salt Hospital due to oxygen outage. The accident caused protests in several cities. Protesters also demanded governement to loosen restrictions and take action to address the economic crisis.
Seven Covid-19 patients died in Salt Public Hospital due to an oxygen shortage outage that lasted for one hour. Five hospital officials are now under investigation. Dozens of relatives of the patients gathered outside the hospital, but were prevented to enter by the police.
After being open for one month, schools in Jordan will be closed again from March 10, due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.
Inoculation will speed up in the next few weeks and coming few months, Nathir Obeidat told state-funded public broadcaster al Mamlaka. Jordan has administered 150,000 doses since it began its vaccination programme over a month ago. The country is battling a steep spike in cases from the variant of the coronavirus first identified in Britain. In all, Jordan has reported 380,268 cases and 4,627 deaths.
Jordan announced stricter measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 on Wednesday and reimposed a full lockdown on Fridays after a month-long spike in cases attributed mainly to the fast transmission of the British variant of the coronavirus.
The cabinet has decided to extend the country’s curfew back to 10 p.m., effective Thursday, after loosening it to midnight last month, and businesses would have to close at 9 p.m.
The UN refugee agency UNHCR says Jordan has opened a coronavirus vaccination center in the Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees. The facility is supposedly the first of its kind.
Jordan will begin a phased re-opening of schools, bringing tens of thousands of students back to classrooms that have been closed for nearly a year. Along with the reopening of gyms and public swimming pools after a drop in infections.
The world has a “global responsibility” to safeguard the health of refugees from COVID-19, Jordan’s King Abdullah told a virtual meeting of leaders after his country became one of the first to vaccinate refugees. Ensuring refugees and migrants get vaccinated is key to ending the pandemic through herd immunity, which requires a large portion of a community develop
Jordan has become one of the world’s first countries to start coronavirus vaccinations for United Nations-registered refugees. As part of the kingdom’s national vaccination drive that began last week, anyone living there, including refugees and asylum seekers, is entitled to receive the shot free of charge. Jordan hosts hundreds of thousands of refugees from the region’s conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya.
Jordan’s health minister said the country’s COVID-19 vaccination programme will start within days, Nathir Obeidat says the rollout would start following the expected arrival of the first batches of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, and supplies of the vaccine developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) would also be arriving shortly.
Jordan has struck a deal with Pfizer and partner BioNTech to buy 1 million doses of their COVID-19 vaccine and another 2 million doses from the World Health Organization’s COVAX programme.
2020
Jordan returns to weekend lockdown as COVID-19 cases mount.
On October 6, 2020, the Government of Jordan announced it will impose a weekly, nationwide comprehensive curfew every Friday at 1:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m.
Jordan tightens penalties for violators of coronavirus rules.
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2021
Kuwait to allow entry to all fully vaccinated non-citizens beginning August 1.
Kuwait approves Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine.
Kuwait approves Sotrivimab COVID-19 treatment.
Kuwait eases quarantine restrictions for travelers.
Associated Press reports that foreign residents, who make up 70% of Kuwait’s population, are being left behind in the vaccination campaign. Kuwaitis regardless of their age and health get vaccinated before expats who belong to at-risk groups. This could jeopardize the efficacy of the vaccination campaign.
The night curfew from 7 pm to 5 am is extended until April 22. However, there will be a partial easing of measures during the month of Ramadan.
Kuwait’s Cabinet announced the allocation of $1,9 billion (600 million dinars) in bonuses to frontline staff working during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now the proposal needs the Emir’s ratification.
The curfew will be reduced by one hour, starting now from 6 pm instead of 5 pm.
Kuwait removes the compulsory hotel quarantine in case of vaccinated travelers. However, it is still mandatory for them to spend one week in home quarantine and undergo a Covid test on the seventh day. The ban on the entry for foreign citizens remains in place.
Despite the restrictions, the country is facing a steady rise in Covid infections and deaths, the Health Minister reports.
Kuwait imposes curfew from 5 p.m. until 5 a.m. ending April 8. The measure comes after a rise in COVID-19 cases.
Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority on Saturday announced it was extending an entry ban for non-Kuwaiti citizens until further notice as part of coronavirus restriction measures. Citizens are still allowed to enter but they must spend a week in quarantine at a hotel and another week at home.
Around 119,000 Kuwaitis and 18,000 expats have been vaccinated, according to the latest data, despite more than half of those registered for a jab being foreign.
Kuwait reported on Thursday 979 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 181,484.
Kuwait reported1,021 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 176,052. The Kuwaiti Health Ministry also announced seven more deaths, taking the death toll to 992, reported news agency ANI.
Kuwait’s COVID-19 vaccination drive will be almost complete by September, with the 850,000 citizens completed in the next three months if vaccines are available. Kuwait’s health minister Bassel Al-Sabah made the statement based on the country’s plan to vaccinate 300,000 people each month.
Kuwait needs to accelerate reforms to reduce the dependence of government policies on the rise and fall of oil prices, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) official said. The oil-rich Gulf state faces near-term liquidity risks largely due to the absence of parliamentary authorisation for the government to borrow.
Kuwait said on Wednesday it will suspend entry for non-citizens for two weeks from Feb. 7 after a rise in coronavirus cases.
Indian drugmaker Dr.Reddy’s Laboratories said on Wednesday it had terminated its clinical study of Fujifilm Holdings’ COVID-19 treatment Avigan in patients with moderate to severe symptoms in Kuwait.
Kuwait has registered its first cases of a more contagious coronavirus variant in two Kuwaiti women who had been in Britain, the health ministry spokesman.
2020
Kuwait aims to vaccinate 80% of its population against Covid-19 by September next year after starting a vaccination campaign last week with the shot developed by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE, a Health Ministry official said. As of Monday, 2,500 people were vaccinated and second doses will be administered from Jan. 14, said Dr. Ghada Ebrahim, director for public relations and media at Kuwait’s Health Ministry.
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2021
The second batch of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine has been delivered to Libya.
Turkey donated 150,000 of Covid-19 vaccine to Libya.
Libyan vaccination campaign started, after many delays.
Libya received the second batch of Covid-19 vaccines. The shipment, provided by the Covax initiative, contains 57,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
he first 101,250 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine arrived in Tripoli. The Health Ministry Abdelhamid Dbeibah remembered Libyans to register on the electronic vaccination platform launched in March.
Libyan Scientific Advisory Committee for tackling the Coronavirus Pandemic, after the rise in cases and death toll, upgraded the Covid emergency level from 3 to 4. The committee calls for stricter restrictions and transmission prevention measures.
The German Foreign Ministry, during a visit to Tripoli, said the first 300,000 doses of the vaccine will arrive in Libya by the end of May through the Covax initiative.
The city authorities of Gharyan, in the northwestern part of the country, denounce that the Covid-19 outbreak is getting out of control. The city is running out of oxygen supplies and logistical resources.
The new Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah ordered the dissolution of the anti-coronavirus committee established in March 2020 by the former PM Al-Sarraj. The Committee, composed of several governmental bodies and civil society institutions, had the task to design extraordinary measures against Covid-19 spread. However, in October 2020 the Attorney General’s Office detected financial violations in its administration.
It was unclear whether the vote itself would take place on March 8 or whether the meeting would be limited to talks. Interim PM Abdul Hamid Dbeibah on Thursday said he faced a Friday deadline to form his government according to a UN road map
The Libyan parliament will discuss holding a vote of confidence on a new unified government for the divided country on March 8, its powerful speaker Aguila Saleh said.
It was unclear whether the vote itself would take place on March 8 or whether the meeting would be limited to talks. Interim PM Abdul Hamid Dbeibah on Thursday said he faced a Friday deadline to form his government according to a UN road map
Oil prices fell after the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) lowered its demand forecast and the International Energy Agency stated that the oil market continues to be over-supplied. Capital Economics was quoted by the news agency as saying: “OPEC production is likely to fall this month led by declines in Saudi Arabia and Libya. This should deepen the global market deficit and support prices.”
Libya’s currency adjustment last month has helped ease a liquidity crisis across the country but the continued scarcity of cash dollars means the black market still thrives.
Participants in U.N. Libya talks in Switzerland cast votes on Tuesday for a new national presidency council to create a transitional government to oversee national elections in December, although no immediate winners emerged.
Senior Egyptian security officials visited the Libyan capital Tripoli for the first time since 2014 when the country entered a civil war between the GNA, based in the capital, and the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Khalia Haftar. Talks were held with officials from the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), the Libyan interior ministry said.
Libya’s oil and gas revenue dropped by 92% last year, the central bank said after most exports were stopped by a months-long blockade by fighters in the civil war. The Central Bank of Libya (CBL), based in the capital Tripoli, said revenue in 2020 was 2.9 billion dinars ($652 million), down from 31.4 billion dinars in 2019.
2020
Oil prices fell about 2%, pressured by swelling output from Libya and fears that rising coronavirus infections may slow the recovery in the global economy and fuel demand.
Ministry of Health approves protocol for treatment of Coronavirus patients.
The High Committee to Combat Coronavirus of the parallel government in east Libya has allowed the resumption of air traffic for domestic and international flights at eastern airports, after seven months of pause.
Flights Resume Between Tripoli, Benghazi.
Pandemic adds to war in keeping Libyan children out of school.
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2021
Lebanon marks daily record of vaccinations.
Local media and officials said some lawmakers got shots in parliament on Tuesday while other Lebanese in the priority groups were still waiting their turn, drawing a rebuke from the doctor leading the campaign and outrage on social media.
Lebanon ramps up COVID-19 fight with vaccination marathon.
Local media and officials said some lawmakers got shots in parliament on Tuesday while other Lebanese in the priority groups were still waiting their turn, drawing a rebuke from the doctor leading the campaign and outrage on social media.
Lebanon eases coronavirus restrictions.
During the month of Ramadan, Lebanon will implement a curfew from 9.30 p.m. to 5 a.m. and will ban group Iftars. Mosques will be open at 30% capacity.
A report by Human Rights Watch highlights the low vaccination rates of migrants and refugees, who make up a third of Lebanon’s population. This could be due to a lack of information by the government to these groups. Low vaccination rates in these groups could hamper the effort to fight Covid-19 in the country. UN data show that Syrian and Palestinian refugees have three- and four-times higher Covid death rates compared to the rest of the population.
Local media and officials said some lawmakers got shots in parliament on Tuesday while other Lebanese in the priority groups were still waiting their turn, drawing a rebuke from the doctor leading the campaign and outrage on social media.
The private company Pharmaline has signed a deal to import 1 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine. The first 50,000 doses arrived in Beirut today. These vaccines will be sold to companies seeking to vaccinate their employees, at the price of 38$ every two doses. The owner of Pharmaline, Jacques Sarraf, is also the head of the Lebanese Russian Business Council. Lebanon is now one of the few countries where the private sector is taking part in the purchase of vaccines
Local media and officials said some lawmakers got shots in parliament on Tuesday while other Lebanese in the priority groups were still waiting their turn, drawing a rebuke from the doctor leading the campaign and outrage on social media.
Deputy speaker of Lebanon’s parliament says the vaccinations of lawmakers in the parliament will stop. The decision arrives after protests and the threat of the World Bank to suspend the financing of the vaccination program.
Local media and officials said some lawmakers got shots in parliament on Tuesday while other Lebanese in the priority groups were still waiting their turn, drawing a rebuke from the doctor leading the campaign and outrage on social media.
The World Bank threatened on Tuesday to suspend its multi-million dollar financing for Lebanon’s COVID-19 vaccinations over politicians jumping the line.
Local media and officials said some lawmakers got shots in parliament on Tuesday while other Lebanese in the priority groups were still waiting their turn, drawing a rebuke from the doctor leading the campaign and outrage on social media.
Lebanon officially launched the national vaccination campaign at Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut on February 14. The first to receive the vaccine was Dr. Mahmoud Hassoun, the head of the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. The second in line was beloved Lebanese actor, 93-year-old Salah Tizani. Together, they represent the priority groups which the campaign targets in the early phases of vaccination: frontline health workers, the elderly, and those with co-morbidities.
Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are three times more likely to die of Covid-19 than the population as a whole, according to UN figures that highlight the pandemic’s outsized impact on the community.
About 28,500 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine landed at Beirut airport, the first of 2.1 million doses set to arrive in stages throughout the year.
Lebanon recieves its first shipment of Pfizer vaccines, according to the agreement signed between the World Bank and ICRC; the vaccine rollout is to be fair and equitable and will be monitored as stated in the Health ministry’s national plan and the agreement is seeks to ensure this.
Qatar is ready to help cash-strapped Lebanon with its economic recovery if its deeply divided political class agrees on a new government.
Lebanon will gradually ease strict coronavirus lockdown in force since Jan. 11 in four two-week stages starting from Monday, the country’s caretaker government said.
Lebanon’s health ministry on Friday approved the emergency use of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, opening the door for private sector imports, local media said. After the authorisation, agreements will be signed with importing companies to keep track and register those who get vaccinated, the reports said.
Tripoli was again racked by violent protests last week; burning of the municipality building as demonstrators clashed with police. Some politicians and experts warn that unrest could spread if more is not done to support people facing deepening poverty amid coronavirus restrictions.
In a letter to British lawmaker Margaret Hodge, the Beirut Bar Association (BBA) said it had asked the UK corporate registry, Companies House, to prevent the company, Savaro Ltd., which it described as an “indicted entity”, from being wound up in order to allow investigations into its possible role in the blast to continue.
Lebanon decided to prolong a total lockdown by two weeks (until Feb. 8, 2021) to stem an unprecedented rise in coronavirus cases and protect its collapsing health sector.
The World Bank on Thursday said it had approved a re-allocation of $34 million in funds to support Lebanon’s vaccination efforts as it races to contain the coronavirus pandemic, marking the first such outlay of funds by the Bank.
The government has ordered the strictest lockdown yet – a 24-hour curfew until Jan. 25, a move which came too late according to medics who have criticised the response.
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2021
Spain contemplates ending Morocco border deal over Western Sahara conflict; the border has been closed due to COVID-19.
Morocco moves to vaccinate prison inmates 45 and up.
Morocco is suspending all flights connections with Tunisia.
Saad Dine El Othmani, the Moroccan Head of Government, expressed concern about the spread of the “UK” strain (B.1.1.7 variant) in the country. Right now 115 cases have been confirmed, but another 1,500 cases have been “semi-confirmed”.
Morocco received a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines through the Covax Initiative. It is the first batch the Covax sends to this country, which at the moment is the African country that has vaccinated more people.
During the month of Ramadan, a night curfew will be implemented nationwide from 8 pm to 6 am.
The nationwide night curfew (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) will be extended for two more weeks. Moreover, the city of Dakhla will be under lockdown for 3 days after the detection of 40 cases of the “British” Covid-19 strain.
As of March 29, in Morocco 4,3 million people received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and 3,3 million received the second dose. Travel and mobility
Serum India Institute, a manufacturer of AstraZeneca vaccine, announced further supplies of the vaccine to Morocco and Saudi Arabia will be delayed.
Morocco updated the list of countries with which air travel will be suspended, adding Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Cameroon, Mozambique, and Croatia.
Morocco suspended air travel with Algeria, Egypt, and other 18 countries to limit the spread of Covid-19 variants. The measure will last until March 21.
Moroccan government extended the state of emergency until April 10.
Morocco’s government suspended flights with Turkey as part of the country’s preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, it will last for 15 days.
Morocco records 835 recoveries, 448 new cases. The steady progress amid a national vaccination campaign means that Morocco now has 8,693 active COVID-19 cases.
Morocco national COVID-19 vaccination campaign reaches two million. One out of every 18 Moroccans has now received a vaccination against COVID-19.
Morocco received the second batch of China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, the batch of 500,000 doses arrived from China at the Casablanca Mohammed V Airport early in the day, and will be dispatched to vaccination centers across the North African country, according to the ministry.
Morocco received a second batch of 4 million doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine on Thursday, having began Africa’s first national vaccination campaign two weeks ago, health ministry sources said.
Morocco’s unemployment rate rose last year to 11.9% from 9.2% in 2019, the planning agency said, citing the double impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and drought.
Morocco received on Wednesday half a million doses of China’s Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine. Morocco plans to vaccinate 25 million people, or 80% of its population, within three months. Morocco will start its vaccination campaign against the coronavirus on Thursday, the royal palace said in a statement after receiving doses from AstraZeneca and Sinopharm.
Morocco received 2 million doses of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, becoming the first African country to get a large enough shipment to start rolling out a nationwide free immunisation programme.
Source:
2021
Famine threatens nations in West Africa, including Mauritania, in the midst of COVID-19 crisis.
The measures included banning of all public gatherings, a curfew that was progressively extended, observing physical distancing and wearing of masks in public spaces, particularly in schools and mosques. In addition, reinforced testing played a major role in reducing and keeping the number of cases low.
The testing rate has topped 5% of the population since the beginning of the pandemic.
Morocco donates COVID-19 vaccine lot to Mauritania.
The measures included banning of all public gatherings, a curfew that was progressively extended, observing physical distancing and wearing of masks in public spaces, particularly in schools and mosques. In addition, reinforced testing played a major role in reducing and keeping the number of cases low.
The testing rate has topped 5% of the population since the beginning of the pandemic.
Mauritania’s vaccination campaign began today in the capital Nouakchott. The priority is given to the medical staff and people with chronic diseases.
The measures included banning of all public gatherings, a curfew that was progressively extended, observing physical distancing and wearing of masks in public spaces, particularly in schools and mosques. In addition, reinforced testing played a major role in reducing and keeping the number of cases low.
The testing rate has topped 5% of the population since the beginning of the pandemic.
Mauritania received the first batch of Sinopharm vaccine. These 50,000 doses arrive as a donation from China, one of the biggest trading partners and investors in Mauritania.
The measures included banning of all public gatherings, a curfew that was progressively extended, observing physical distancing and wearing of masks in public spaces, particularly in schools and mosques. In addition, reinforced testing played a major role in reducing and keeping the number of cases low.
The testing rate has topped 5% of the population since the beginning of the pandemic.
The International Monetary Fund approved the disbursement of 23.8 million $ to Mauritania. This sum adds to a four-year credit arrangement between IMF and the country to improve social and infrastructure needs. This new measure comes after a contraction in the country’s economy caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The second wave of covid-19 hit Mauritania in mid-November, however infections have since dropped considerably owing to the measures taken by the whole government through an inter-ministerial committee.
The measures included banning of all public gatherings, a curfew that was progressively extended, observing physical distancing and wearing of masks in public spaces, particularly in schools and mosques. In addition, reinforced testing played a major role in reducing and keeping the number of cases low.
The testing rate has topped 5% of the population since the beginning of the pandemic.
The airport is open for international commercial travel; domestic flights have resumed. Land borders with Senegal and Mali are reportedly open; however, non-commercial overland travel with Morocco remains banned. Travelers to Mauritania must present evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, dated up to 72 hours before arrival. Travelers arriving also face screening measures and possible quarantine at a state health facility if displaying symptoms of the disease.
The World Bank said it would invest over $5 billion over the next five years to help restore degraded landscapes, improve agriculture productivity, and promote livelihoods in 11 African countries, among them Mauritania, as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020
Countries in Africa, among them Mauritania, have seen a sharp rise in cases and are reporting near record levels of infection, as a second wave of infections hits the continent with a total number of coronavirus cases in Africa crossing 2.5 million.
Second wave of corona virus is hitting Africa, Mauritania has hit record levels of infections.
The airport is open for international commercial travel; domestic flights have resumed. Land borders with Senegal and Mali are reportedly open; however, non-commercial overland travel with Morocco remains banned. Travelers to Mauritania must present evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, dated up to 72 hours before arrival. Travelers arriving also face screening measures and possible quarantine at a state health facility if displaying symptoms of the disease.
Schools and universities have been closed following a reported spike in the number of cases. Authorities have also reduced the number of civil service staff at government facilities. Hygiene and social-distancing measures are mandatory at local markets. The wearing of face mask in public is also compulsory and a ban on large gatherings is in place. A civil defense group has been created to enforce related restrictions.
7,634 confirmed cases were registered, including 7,359 recoveries and 163 deaths; and a total of 84,731 tests were performed.
Authorities permit non-Mauritian nationals entry by air September 11.
Cases: 5923 – Deaths: 155 – Recovered: 3632
Extension of quarantine measures for two weeks.
Restrictive measures in place since mid-March have been partially eased on 6 May, with the reopening of shops and markets; and the easing of the curfew. Schools are closed until the end of June.
Authorities announce travel ban for Nouakchott and Kiffa (Assaba region) on May 19.
Authorities reopen places of worship as of May 10.
A batch of medical supplies was donated to Mauritania by the government of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
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2021
Oman to reimpose nightly curfew following spike in COVID-19 cases.
After initial delay, Oman ramps up COVID-19 vaccination effort.
Black fungus detected in 3 COVID-19 patients in Oman.
Oman ends coronavirus night curfew and orders overnight trading ban
Amid a rise in Covid-19 cases, four hospitals are currently facing 100% occupancy in ICUs, and 211 of the 219 beds allocated to Covid-19 patients are occupied.
From April 8 only citizens and residents will be allowed to enter Oman. Moreover, during the month of Ramadan there will be a curfew from 9 pm to 4 am.
Muscat received the first batch of AstraZeneca vaccine.
From March 28 until April 8 Oman will impose a night curfew from 8 pm to 5 am.
Starting from March 29, passengers arriving in Oman will be required to quarantine in hotels and other isolation facilities, at their own expense.
Oman suspended direct passenger flights from the UK and the entry of non-citizens who traveled there in the previous two weeks. The Sultanate also extended the Covid-19 existing restrictions.
During the month of February, the Sultanate saw a rise in Covid-19 cases.
Oman’s supreme committee for dealing with COVID-19 said on Monday it was suspending entry for arrivals from Sudan, Lebanon, Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, Ethiopia, Guinea, Sierra Leone for 15 days from Feb. 25, state media reported.
The number of patients in intensive care units, with cases related to coronavirus, doubled during the past two weeks, “we had 20 patients in ICU and today it touched 41 cases. This is a significant and disturbing increase,” Minister of Health Ahmed Al-Saeedi said, adding that the spread of the coronavirus was alarming.
Oman pushed forward its programme of replacing foreign workers with locals on Sunday with a decision to allocate many jobs at higher education establishments to citizens, the labour ministry said.
Oman’s economy likely shrank 6.4% in 2020, the International Monetary Fund said on Friday, due to the coronavirus crisis and low oil prices putting a strain on the state’s coffers.
Oman is expected to tap into their sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) to cover rising funding needs, but this will likely weaken their fiscal position more than other countries in the oil-dependent Gulf region
Oman will extend the close of its land borders for another week until Feb. 1, to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Oman’s Ministry of Health will start inoculating citizens aged over 65 years with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, daily Times of Oman reported.
Oman will extend the closure of its land borders for another week, until Feb. 8, to curb the spread of the coronavirus, citing a decision by the Gulf state’s coronavirus emergency committee.
Oman prohibited all group events, postponed students’ return to universities and advised citizens and residents against foreign travel, in a tightening of measures against the coronavirus. The ban on gatherings include international conferences, sports events and exhibitions, citing a decision by the Gulf state’s coronavirus emergency committee.
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2021
Palestinians cancel deal with Israel for near-expired COVID-19 vaccination doses.
Palestinians see victory in ceasefire in Gaza; allows for time to rebuild and recover in hard-hit area—able to help deal with public health crises exacerbated by 11-day war.
Gaza specialist who lead al-Shifa hospital’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic dies in an airstrike.
Israeli airstrike damages Gaza’s only COVID-19 test processing lab.
Conflict in Gaza Strip could lead to new COVID-19 surge.
Israel’s military assault on Gaza could worsen COVID-19 pandemic.
Amid a surge in cases in the last weeks – with more than one third of the tests giving positive results – Gaza authorities decided to increase restrictions, closing nurseries, schools, and universities until further notice.
Palestinian Authority received 100,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine as a donation from China.
US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced the donation of $15 million to Catholic Relief Services in Palestine in order to fight Covid-19 pandemic. “This urgent, necessary aid is one piece of our renewed commitment to the Palestinian people” Thomas-Greenfield said.
Palestine’s mass vaccination campaign started in Ramallah on Sunday.
Palestine received the first batch of COVAX-supplied vaccines: 38,000 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech and 24,000 of AstraZeneca. A Palestinian Health Ministry spokesman said the AstraZeneca doses will be stored until further clarifications from WHO about its side effects. Palestinian Authority plans to vaccinate about 20% of the population through the COVAX program.
the West Bank faces a new lockdown starting from March 15, following an increase in infections and fatalities.
Gaza received from UAE 40,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine. This is the second shipment of vaccines from UAE.
Committed to providing equal access to vaccines to Palestinians: India at UNSC. Nagaraj Naidu also said that India has been helping the war torn region with healthcare equipment, medicines as well as Covid-19 vaccines from the beginning of the pandemic.
The Palestinians’ COVID-19 vaccination plan faces a $30 million funding shortfall, even after factoring in support from a global vaccine scheme for poorer economies, the World Bank said in a report on Monday.
A shipment of 2,000 coronavirus vaccine doses donated by Russia entered the besieged Gaza Strip on Wednesday after Israel blocked it earlier this week.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) accused Israel on Monday of holding up the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines into Gaza, where Palestinians have yet to receive any doses.
UAE does not plan to resume funding to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, which was halted last year, until steps are taken to manage funds more efficiently, a UAE government official said.
The Palestinians received 10,000 doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine on Thursday to help jumpstart their COVID-19 inoculation campaign, officials said.
Palestinians launched a COVID-19 vaccination campaign on Tuesday, with health workers receiving the first shots after the delivery of doses from Israel and international shipments expected within days.
Source:
2021
Qatar to mandate vaccinations for the 2022 World Cup.
Qatar Airways to resume flying UK and Irish citizens from Qatar to London and across their network.
Qatar begins to ease COVID-19 restrictions.
The Qatar Red Crescent, together with WHO, is launching a 3-years campaign to provide Covid-19 vaccine to refugees displaced persons and migrants in 20 countries across Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Qatar implements new restrictions due to a surge in cases. Museums, cinemas, libraries, nurseries, and restaurants will be closed, and private gatherings will be forbidden. Only up to five vaccinated people will be allowed to gather in open spaces.
Abdullatif Al Khal, Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19, confirmed that two variants of Covid-19 are circulating in the country, the “UK” variant (B.1.1.7) and the “South African” (B.1.351).
In response to a surge in infections, Qatar is imposing new restrictions, like closing of gyms, swimming pools and beaches, and restriction of capacity in restaurants, museums, and cinemas. Moreover, social gatherings are banned, and schools must switch to online teaching.
Qatari authorities have issued an emergency use authorisation for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, the second coronavirus jab approved in the country after the one developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.
Russia has lifted a travel ban for Finland, Vietnam, India and Qatar that was imposed last year to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
2020
Qatar has signed an agreement with drugmaker Moderna Inc to buy its potential COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is approved and released for global use.
Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health approved on Sunday the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use.
Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health granted emergency use authorisation for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech and is due to receive the first shipment next week.
Administrative Development, Labour & Social Affairs Ministry to resume process of issuing labour recruitment from 15 November after a temporary suspenion due to Covid-19
Pfizer’s and BioNTech’s vaccine, if approved, could reach Qatar in the coming months.
Chairman of National Strategic Group on Covid-19 and head of Hamad Medical Corporation’s infectious diseases division, Abdullatif al-Khal, says schools will be closed for two weeks if three Covid-19 cases are detected in the same class, or if 5 per cent of students or staff are infected.
Quarantine requirements for all nationals, residents and visa holders arriving to Qatar have been extended to 31 December 2020. Hotels for quarantine must be booked through Discover Qatar. Travellers from low-risk countries may be permitted to quarantine at home, while others must fund a hotel quarantine.
Qatar has extended strict quarantine rules requiring travellers to isolate for up to 14 days upon their arrival in the country, local media reported on Tuesday.
Doha says it is producing 992,000 litres of hand sanitiser each month, adding that it has signed 14 contracts to increase the stock of food and consumer commodities in the country.
Flag carrier Qatar Airways discloses it had received a $2bn advance from the government of Qatar that has been converted into new shares.
Spa activities, massage services and indoor swimming pools to resume from 15 September with reduced capacity, Ministry of Commerce & Industry says.
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2021
Saudi Arabia bans foreign pilgrims from Hajj due to COVID-19 concerns.
Saudi Arabia lifts ban from travelers coming from 11 different countries.
Saudi Arabia to require vaccinations to enter private and governmental establishments.
Saudi Arabia Airlines to resume international flights.
Saudi Arabia lifts quarantine requirement for vaccinated travelers.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that permits to visit Makkah and Madinah will be released to people who received two doses of vaccine, those who received one dose at least 14 days before the visit, and those who have recovered from the virus. Pilgrims will need to register on Tawakkalna and Eatmarna apps before their visit.
Saudi Arabia’s finance minister said on Tuesday his country was talking to manufacturers to provide COVID-19 vaccines to low-income countries including Yemen and African states.
Arab News reports that 3 million people have been vaccinated in Saudi Arabia. This is about 70% of those who applied to receive the jab.
Saudi Arabia’s finance minister said on Tuesday his country was talking to manufacturers to provide COVID-19 vaccines to low-income countries including Yemen and African states.
Serum India Institute, a manufacturer of AstraZeneca vaccine, announced further supplies of the vaccine to Morocco and Saudi Arabia will be delayed.
Saudi Arabia’s finance minister said on Tuesday his country was talking to manufacturers to provide COVID-19 vaccines to low-income countries including Yemen and African states.
Saudi Arabia lifted most of the restrictions: gyms, theaters and barbershops have reopened, and indoor dining at restaurants have resumed. Moreover, the Kingdom announced international flights will be resumed from May 17.
Saudi Arabia health ministry announces only people vaccinated against Covid-19 will be allowed to this year Hajj.
The total number of recoveries in the Kingdom has increased to 368,011 Ministry reports 338 new cases, 320 recoveries, 5 deaths. Saudi health officials have sought to reassure people over the interval between COVID-19 vaccinations as the Kingdom steps up its inoculation program with an increase in the number of vaccine centers.
Saudi Arabia’s finance minister said on Tuesday his country was talking to manufacturers to provide COVID-19 vaccines to low-income countries including Yemen and African states.
The number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) active cases being dealt with in Saudi Arabia on Friday dropped to 2,549. And the number of patients requiring critical care was on the decline too, according to Ministry of Health data that also revealed the levels of people recovering from COVID-19 gaining momentum over new cases.
Saudi Arabia’s finance minister said on Tuesday his country was talking to manufacturers to provide COVID-19 vaccines to low-income countries including Yemen and African states.
Saudi Arabia’s food and drug administration has approved the COVID vaccine made by AstraZeneca
Saudi Arabia’s finance minister said on Tuesday his country was talking to manufacturers to provide COVID-19 vaccines to low-income countries including Yemen and African states.
Hotels in Riyadh recorded their best month in January since the start of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic last year, but occupancy and revenue levels were still down compared to 2019.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oil demand and prices has significantly increased government funding requirements in all GCC countries, which will be partially financed by sovereign wealth funds (SWFs).
Saudi Arabia’s health minister said on Sunday that complacency around coronavirus restrictions had led to a notable increase in daily cases in the kingdom.
Major Gulf markets weakened on Thursday, tracking global shares, as a sudden sell-off on Wall Street and lingering COVID-19-induced restrictions soured investor sentiment worldwide.Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index bucked the trend to end 0.3% higher, with Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC), the world’s fourth-biggest petrochemicals firm gaining about 1%.
The Serum Institute of India (SII) will supply Saudi Arabia with 3 million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses priced at $5.25 each in about a week on behalf of the British drugmaker.
Saudi Arabia’s finance minister said on Tuesday his country was talking to manufacturers to provide COVID-19 vaccines to low-income countries including Yemen and African states.
Saudi Arabia’s king appointed Fahad al-Mubarak as central bank governor, his second stint in one of the most sensitive positions in the kingdom replacing Ahmed al-Kholifey.
Saudi Arabia has delayed the publication of jobs data for the third quarter, saying it needs more time to carry out a thorough analysis of the figures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Authority for Statistics said
Source:
2021
Kenya reopens airspace to flight sfrom Somalia.
Somalia received 200,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine as a donation from China.
The Turkish Red Cross donated 10 ventilators to the Somalian ministry of health. The machines that have been handed over to Somali authorities yesterday, will be used in intensive care units and contribute to the fight against Covid-19.
The militant group Al-Shabaab released a statement warning against Astra-Zeneca vaccine and advising people to not vaccinate.
The Turkish Red Cross donated 10 ventilators to the Somalian ministry of health. The machines that have been handed over to Somali authorities yesterday, will be used in intensive care units and contribute to the fight against Covid-19.
The first 300,000 doses of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine arrived in Somalia. The country received the vaccines through the COVAX program. Priority will be given to healthcare workers, the elderly and people with chronic health conditions.
The Turkish Red Cross donated 10 ventilators to the Somalian ministry of health. The machines that have been handed over to Somali authorities yesterday, will be used in intensive care units and contribute to the fight against Covid-19.
A resurgence of COVID-19 cases is hitting Somalia hard, straining one of the world’s most fragile health systems, while officials await test results to show whether a more infectious variant of the coronavirus is spreading.
The Turkish Red Cross donated 10 ventilators to the Somalian ministry of health. The machines that have been handed over to Somali authorities yesterday, will be used in intensive care units and contribute to the fight against Covid-19.
A gunbattle erupted on Friday in central Mogadishu as Somali government forces sealed off streets to prevent a protest over delayed elections, hours after fighters loyal to the government and to the political opposition exchanged gunfire.
Somali cattle herder Omar Hussein living in a volatile region infiltrated by al Qaeda-linked Islamist insurgents isn’t joining the global scramble for a Covid-19 vaccine — he’s not sure the jab will even reach his besieged town in southwestern Somalia.
An explosion has rocked Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, local media reports stated.
At least 11 people were killed on Monday after fighting broke out between the Somali federal army and Jubbaland state forces in the Gedo region of southwestern Somalia.
Officials in Somalia maintain existing coronavirus disease-related measures as of Jan. 20; domestic and international flights ongoing.
Vaccines are distant as Virus Spreads.
2020
COVID-19 isolation area for pregnant and lactating women established in Puntland.
High rate of food inflation and a decrease in government revenues by 3% due to Covid -19.
Saudi Arabia supports Somalia in in facing CoronaVirus.
Somalia’s economy is expected to shrink by 2.5% this year, according to the World Bank, revising its initial forecast of 3.2% growth due to the impact of the coronavirus crisis.
3,941 COVID-19 cases were reported in Somalia with 104 fatalities and 3,166 recoveries.
Qatar Airways will resume flights to Mogadishu. International Restrictions include; Commercial flights to operate to Somalia, including Somaliland. Check with your travel company for the latest information.
$25 Million African Development Bank Grant for Somalia Will Bolster Budget for Covid-19 Responses.
Cases: 3178 – Deaths: 93 – Recovered: 1521.
The new coronavirus could be spreading undetected through camps across Somalia hosting some 2.6 million displaced people, the Red Cross warned on Tuesday, as floods and conflict swelled the numbers fleeing into overcrowded settlements.
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2021
South Sudan announces plans to discard 59,000 of 191,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine it received in donations; the vaccines expired only 2 weeks after arrival.
The latest official report recorded new cases in five of the country’s 18 states. Khartoum recorded the highest infection rate, followed by Red Sea state, El Gezira state, and Kassala, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 to 28,137, including 1,871 deaths and 22,797 recovery.
Sudan bans travelers from India and imposes other coronavirus restrictions.
Siddiq Tawer, Chairman of the High Committee for Health Emergency, announced Sudan is experiencing a worrying spike in infections, therefore authorities will likely tighten restrictions.
The latest official report recorded new cases in five of the country’s 18 states. Khartoum recorded the highest infection rate, followed by Red Sea state, El Gezira state, and Kassala, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 to 28,137, including 1,871 deaths and 22,797 recovery.
Face masks became mandatory for employees in public and private workplaces in Sudan.
The latest official report recorded new cases in five of the country’s 18 states. Khartoum recorded the highest infection rate, followed by Red Sea state, El Gezira state, and Kassala, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 to 28,137, including 1,871 deaths and 22,797 recovery.
Sudan has started its vaccination campaign from frontline healthcare workers. The country received, through the COVAX initiative, a first batch of 828,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. A total of 3.4 million doses are expected to arrive in the next months.
The latest official report recorded new cases in five of the country’s 18 states. Khartoum recorded the highest infection rate, followed by Red Sea state, El Gezira state, and Kassala, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 to 28,137, including 1,871 deaths and 22,797 recovery.
The Central Bank of Sudan steeply devalued its currency to appeal to foreign donors and access debt relief.
After being pegged at 55 Sudanese pounds to the U.S. dollar for the past year, the pound was trading late Thursday at 375 pounds to the dollar. The devaluation, which speculators had been expecting for several months now, had been delayed due to volatile prices and complications surrounding the political transition.
The Sudanese Federal Ministry of Health reported 28 new cases of COVID-19, five deaths and 51 recoveries on Sunday.
The latest official report recorded new cases in five of the country’s 18 states. Khartoum recorded the highest infection rate, followed by Red Sea state, El Gezira state, and Kassala, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 to 28,137, including 1,871 deaths and 22,797 recovery.
The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution that extends the mandate of a group of experts on Sudan that assists the committee overseeing sanctions related to the country.
Sudan will decide to float its currency once it has sufficient foreign reserves, and is also in talks with several parties to secure loans and grants, the country’s acting finance minister said in an interview this week.
Sudan has lifted a ban on travellers coming from Britain, the Netherlands and South Africa as of Wednesday until April 11, the country’s civil aviation authority said in a statement. The country imposed the ban on Dec. 23 due to the discovery of a new variant of the coronavirus in the three countries.
South Sudan continues to see a rise in the number of confirmed cases, with 3,670 confirmed cases, 3,181 recoveries, and 63 deaths.
2020
Second batch of medical aid was delivered by Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) to support the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) in the fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
COVID-19 continues to spread in Sudan, more than 35 Sudanese medics dead
Sudan will ban travellers from Britain, the Netherlands and South Africa from Dec. 23 due to the discovery of a new variant of the coronavirus, the head of the civil aviation authority told Reuters on Monday.
Increase in COVID-19 cases recorded in Sudan attributed to increased testing.
Sudan announces access to 8.4 million doses of anti-Coronavirus vaccine
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok announced that his country has received 8.4 million doses of vaccine against the Covid-19 epidemic, which will be allocated to immunize “the sectors most vulnerable to the disease, especially the medical sector.”
Sudan postpones the opening of schools in Khartoum for three weeks .
18,254 people have contracted coronavirus, including 1,265 who died from it.
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok’s staff is self-isolating after 19 members, including Cabinet Affairs Minister Omer Manis, tested positive for coronavirus during a recent random sampling.
Source:
2021
The last UN aid delivery point at the Syria-Turkey border to potentially close, with devastating consequences.
Health Minister Hasan Al-Ghabbash, who announced the Covid-19 vaccination drive at a news conference carried by state news agency SANA, did not specify the brand, source or quantity of the jabs. The government has recorded 15,343 Covid-19 cases in areas under its control, including 1,008 deaths
Syria observes spike in COVID-19 cases after election celebrations.
Health Minister Hasan Al-Ghabbash, who announced the Covid-19 vaccination drive at a news conference carried by state news agency SANA, did not specify the brand, source or quantity of the jabs. The government has recorded 15,343 Covid-19 cases in areas under its control, including 1,008 deaths
U.N. official reports that armed conflicts in Syria and elsewhere have helped the coronavirus spread.
Health Minister Hasan Al-Ghabbash, who announced the Covid-19 vaccination drive at a news conference carried by state news agency SANA, did not specify the brand, source or quantity of the jabs. The government has recorded 15,343 Covid-19 cases in areas under its control, including 1,008 deaths
The Kurdish authorities implemented a lockdown in the Rojava region, to stop the rise in infections. Rojava is waiting to receive the vaccines through the Covax initiative, but Jwan Mustafa, the co-chair of Rojava’s health board, complained about the inaction of WHO in assisting Rojava with the Covid crisis.
Health Minister Hasan Al-Ghabbash, who announced the Covid-19 vaccination drive at a news conference carried by state news agency SANA, did not specify the brand, source or quantity of the jabs. The government has recorded 15,343 Covid-19 cases in areas under its control, including 1,008 deaths
During the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic in the country, the most severe one, the ICU units in Damascus’ hospitals have reached full capacity. Patients are being transferred outside the city to receive care.
Health Minister Hasan Al-Ghabbash, who announced the Covid-19 vaccination drive at a news conference carried by state news agency SANA, did not specify the brand, source or quantity of the jabs. The government has recorded 15,343 Covid-19 cases in areas under its control, including 1,008 deaths
In the next three days, Syrian government will ship 75 tonnes of oxygen to Lebanon, to help the neighbouring country struggling with oxygen shortages.
Health Minister Hasan Al-Ghabbash, who announced the Covid-19 vaccination drive at a news conference carried by state news agency SANA, did not specify the brand, source or quantity of the jabs. The government has recorded 15,343 Covid-19 cases in areas under its control, including 1,008 deaths
Syria started to vaccinate front-line healthcare workers. The vaccination campaign started after the country received the first doses from an unspecified source. Media report that the batch has been delivered by Israel as part of a prisoner exchange negotiation mediated by Russia.
Health Minister Hasan Al-Ghabbash, who announced the Covid-19 vaccination drive at a news conference carried by state news agency SANA, did not specify the brand, source or quantity of the jabs. The government has recorded 15,343 Covid-19 cases in areas under its control, including 1,008 deaths
Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma tested positive to Covid-19. they are in stable conditions.
Health Minister Hasan Al-Ghabbash, who announced the Covid-19 vaccination drive at a news conference carried by state news agency SANA, did not specify the brand, source or quantity of the jabs. The government has recorded 15,343 Covid-19 cases in areas under its control, including 1,008 deaths
Syria will start giving coronavirus vaccines to its vital health care workers across the war-ravaged country from next week, a government minister said Thursday.
Health Minister Hasan Al-Ghabbash, who announced the Covid-19 vaccination drive at a news conference carried by state news agency SANA, did not specify the brand, source or quantity of the jabs. The government has recorded 15,343 Covid-19 cases in areas under its control, including 1,008 deaths
Only 20% of population to get COVID-19 vaccines—across three Syrian control territories. Besides talking about negotiations and discussions held to provide the vaccine, the regime’s vaccination plans have materialized in nothing but contradictory speculations of the vaccine’s arrival time in Syria in 2021.
China will send 150,000 doses of coronavrius vaccine to Syria as aid, the Chinese embassy in Damascus said on Thursday.
The World Heath Organization is deploying teams across Syria for a vaccination program that will be rolled out both in government-held areas and territory outside state control, perhaps as soon as April, it said on Wednesday.
Syria said it would import more crude oil to cover fuel shortages it blames on Western sanctions that disrupted regular Iranian oil shipments that had for years compensated for the country’s loss of domestic oil production as a result of conflict.
2020
A bus has been attacked in eastern Syria, killing at least 28 people, reportedly soldiers. IS fighters and Syrian forces loyal to the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad often clash in the area, near the ancient city of Palmyra.
Official data put the national death toll from the pandemic at 209. While there are no independent figures for the number of new coronavirus cases and deaths in Syria, reports from some NGOs and aid workers say the official data reflect only a small fraction of the real toll.
More than two hundred cases have been reported among U.N staff members, some of whom have been hospitalized and three who were medically evacuated.
Cases: 717 – Deaths: 40 – Recovered: 229.
The World Food Programme (WFP) told a briefing in Geneva that the number of people short of essential foodstuffs had risen by 1.4 million in the past six months.
Syrian President Bashar al Assad dismissed prime minister Imad Khamis, state media said, in a move that follows weeks of deepening economic hardship and a rare outbreak of anti-Assad protests in government-held areas.
Government lifts nightly curfew and travel restrictions between provinces, and extend shop business hours (8am-7pm).
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2021
Tourism suffers due to COVID in Tunisia.
UNICEF-supported Scouts give public safety advice to Tunisians.
The death toll from the virus rose by 31 to 7,942, the ministry said in a statement. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients reached 1,116, including 268 in intensive care units, while the total number of recoveries reached 196,945, it added.
Tunisia lockdown ends among the worst COVID death rate in Africa.
The death toll from the virus rose by 31 to 7,942, the ministry said in a statement. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients reached 1,116, including 268 in intensive care units, while the total number of recoveries reached 196,945, it added.
Tunisia to reopen economy despite COVID-19 strain.
Starting from April 9, Tunisian government will impose new restrictions to curb infections. Public and private gatherings will be banned, and night curfew will be extended from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the last period, Covid-19 units in hospitals have reached 80% capacity.
The death toll from the virus rose by 31 to 7,942, the ministry said in a statement. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients reached 1,116, including 268 in intensive care units, while the total number of recoveries reached 196,945, it added.
As reported by the Director of the National Observatory of New and Emerging Diseases Nissaf Ben Alaya, the epidemiological situation in the country is deteriorating, and much concern is raised by 144 detected cases of the “UK” strain (B.1.1.7 variant), which could lead to an increase in the number of infections.
The death toll from the virus rose by 31 to 7,942, the ministry said in a statement. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients reached 1,116, including 268 in intensive care units, while the total number of recoveries reached 196,945, it added.
The World Bank decided to provide US$100 million to Tunisia to support the government’s vaccination plan. The funds may be used to purchase the vaccines and to strengthen the vaccine deployment system.
Tunisia received a batch of Sinovac vaccine as a donation from China.
The death toll from the virus rose by 31 to 7,942, the ministry said in a statement. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients reached 1,116, including 268 in intensive care units, while the total number of recoveries reached 196,945, it added.
Tunisia received 93,600 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX program. It is the first batch that arrives in the country through this international initiative.
The death toll from the virus rose by 31 to 7,942, the ministry said in a statement. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients reached 1,116, including 268 in intensive care units, while the total number of recoveries reached 196,945, it added.
Tunisia’s main parliamentary bloc Ennahdha rallied thousands of people Saturday in a demonstration of support for the government amid a tug-of-war with President Kais Saied. The Islamist-inspired Ennahdha and liberal Qalb Tounes parties pushed for a reshuffling of the government by Prime minister Hichem Mechichi in mid-January, introducing 11 new ministers.
Tunisian Health Ministry on Friday reported 666 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of infections in the country to 231,964.
The death toll from the virus rose by 31 to 7,942, the ministry said in a statement. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients reached 1,116, including 268 in intensive care units, while the total number of recoveries reached 196,945, it added.
The World Bank is working towards standardizing COVID-19 vaccine contracts that countries are signing with drug makers. World Bank President David Malpass said the bank is also pushing manufacturers to be more open about where the doses are headed as it races to get more vaccines to poor countries. Malpass said he expected the bank’s board to have approved $1.6 billion in vaccine funding for 12 countries including the Philippines, Bangladesh, Tunisia and Ethiopia by the end of March.
Police locked down a large area of central Tunis, blocking roads as thousands of protesters, backed by the country’s labor union, gathered in Tunisia’s biggest demonstration for years. The rally was held to mark the anniversary of the 2013 killing of a prominent activist and to protest against police abuses that demonstrators say have imperiled the freedoms won in the 2011 revolution that triggered the “Arab spring.”
Tunisia expects to receive four million free doses of COVID-19 vaccine through the Geneva-based GAVI vaccine alliance from mid-February according to Health Minister Fouzi Mehdi. After approving the use of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19. The doses will be enough to immunise 2 million of Tunisia’s 11.5 million population.
Tunisia’s parliament approved a Cabinet reshuffle that deepened the conflict between the prime minister and the president, as hundreds protested outside the heavily barricaded parliament over social inequality and police abuses.
Tunisia’s Prime Minister Hichem Mechechi has warned against chaos and destruction of property in his first address to the nation following days of protests and riots in the capital.
Tunisia imposed a four-day national lockdown and closed schools until Jan. 24 to combat a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases. Other measures included rotating staffing in state jobs to reduce people in offices and transport, longer curfew hours and the removal of all chairs from cafes.
Tunisia recorded 4,170 new confirmed coronavirus cases, a record since the start of the pandemic.
Tunisia recorded 2,820 new confirmed coronavirus cases, the health ministry, a record since the start of the pandemic last year. 70 more deaths were reported, taking the death toll to more than 5,000, the ministry added.
2020
Cases: 1448 – Deaths: 50 – Recovered: 1178.
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2021
UAE’s Abu Dhabi offering COVID-19 vaccinations to tourists.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Palestinian human rights activist Khalil Abu Shamala said that Gaza Strip is witnessing a deterioration in the health sector, and over the past months, “the sector has faced great difficulties in facing the spread of the coronavirus.”
The Emirati company Group 42 will start manufacturing the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine in a new factory that is currently being built in Abu Dhabi. This vaccine will be renamed “Hayat-Vax”. Some concerns have been raised due to the lack of phase III trial data, which have not been released yet.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Palestinian human rights activist Khalil Abu Shamala said that Gaza Strip is witnessing a deterioration in the health sector, and over the past months, “the sector has faced great difficulties in facing the spread of the coronavirus.”
A new Covid-19 hospital was inaugurated in Sharjah. The hospital features 204 beds, 48 of which are intensive care units. It is the second of seven hospitals that have been announced to open in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Palestinian human rights activist Khalil Abu Shamala said that Gaza Strip is witnessing a deterioration in the health sector, and over the past months, “the sector has faced great difficulties in facing the spread of the coronavirus.”
A “very small number” of people have been receiving the third dose of Sinopharm vaccine, due to insufficient immune response. At the moment, UAE is the Arabic country with the highest percentage of citizens and residents that received the vaccine, and the world’s second behind Israel.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Palestinian human rights activist Khalil Abu Shamala said that Gaza Strip is witnessing a deterioration in the health sector, and over the past months, “the sector has faced great difficulties in facing the spread of the coronavirus.”
Airfares on India and Pakistan routes dropped in January and February and are expected to remain at the current levels over the next two months, according to travel industry executives in Dubai. Some airlines are offering one-way tickets to India for as low as Dh280; while tickets to Pakistan cost about Dh600.
Many Palestinians have commended the UAE’s move to provide the coronavirus vaccine to the Gaza Strip, in light of the long-imposed blockade that hinder the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines into the Strip.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Palestinian human rights activist Khalil Abu Shamala said that Gaza Strip is witnessing a deterioration in the health sector, and over the past months, “the sector has faced great difficulties in facing the spread of the coronavirus.”
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Sunday reported 2,930 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 1,517 recoveries and 8 deaths.
After a concerned start to the week with a blip in numbers on Sunday (951 doses) and Monday (3,451), the UAE nationwide vaccination campaign picked up steam. Tuesday recorded 110,471 doses, Wednesday 93,199 doses, Thursday 84,573 doses, Friday 87,263 doses and Saturday saw a total of 81,790 vaccinations. Overall, the UAE has offered 6,015,089 doses at a distribution rate of 60.82 doses per 100 people, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority announced on Saturday.
Even as the vaccine rollout has slowed down in several major countries, the UAE has managed to administer more than 6 million doses by Saturday and emerged as the top nation in daily distribution rate.
After a concerned start to the week with a blip in numbers on Sunday (951 doses) and Monday (3,451), the UAE nationwide vaccination campaign picked up steam. Tuesday recorded 110,471 doses, Wednesday 93,199 doses, Thursday 84,573 doses, Friday 87,263 doses and Saturday saw a total of 81,790 vaccinations. Overall, the UAE has offered 6,015,089 doses at a distribution rate of 60.82 doses per 100 people, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority announced on Saturday.
In the period between Jan. 30 and Feb. 16, the EU gave the green light to 57 requests for the Pfizer vaccine export to 24 countries, including Britain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Commission spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways said the majority of its pilots and cabin crew had received two of the required doses of a coronavirus vaccine.
Banks in the United Arab Emirates have reduced their use of a central bank stimulus scheme aimed at supporting liquidity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the central bank governor said.
The United Arab Emirates will temporarily only vaccinate residents and citizens who are elderly or who have certain health conditions. The temporary policy change was made following a spike in infections over the past weeks “to ensure acquired community immunity and contain the disease”.
Dubai will start vaccinating people with the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 shot, the state media office said on Tuesday as the United Arab Emirates battles its biggest outbreak since the pandemic begun. The first shipment with 200,000 doese has arrived from India.
Britain is banning direct passenger flights from the United Arab Emirates from Friday, shutting down the world’s busiest international airline route from Dubai to London.
The UAE has avoided imposing a new lockdown, while some countries in Europe and elsewhere are on a second or third wave of tough restrictions. But Dubai has banned live entertainment, although bars and other venues are open, and are delaying non-essential surgery.
Dubai Tourism has identified more than 200 violations of non-compliance with COVID-19 guidelines and closed down around 20 establishments in the city over the last three weeks, according to the Dubai Media Office. To ensure public heath and safety, all entertainment permits issued will be on hold with immediate effect and that Dubai Tourism will continue to evaluate the situation with heath authorities.
The UAE health ministry approved Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use.
The UAE registered a record-high single-day spike in coronavirus cases, the overall count has now reached 263,729 cases with 762 deaths, while 231,675 patients have recovered so far.
More than 2 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered in the United Arab Emirates, 20.88 percent of the country’s population has been vaccinated
The United Arab Emirates has been removed from the UK government’s travel corridor list. Thus, anyone arriving in England, Wales or Northern Ireland from the UAE must self-isolate, before they did not need to. This decision came after there was a 52% rise of coronavirus cases in the UAE.
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2021
New Yemen COVID surge comes on the heels of unique difficulties in the country.
New Yemen COVID surge comes on the heels of unique difficulties in the country.
Houthis risk civilians’ health through the suppression of information regarding COVID-19.
WHO to start COVID-19 vaccinations in North Yemen.
UN Security Council urges immediate cease-fire in Yemen—war exacerbating COVID-19 crisis.
Yemen received the first batch of Covid vaccine. The 360,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arrived in Aden through the Covax initiative.
Due to the sharp rise of Covid-19 cases in the last months, the internationally recognized government declared the state of emergency in the areas under its control. Oxfam’s Yemen Director highlights that only people with severe symptoms get tested, therefore the real number of cases cannot be quantified.
Yemen’s Health minister, Qasem Buaibeh, called for regional support to provide healthcare services. The country’s healthcare system, already weakened by the civil war, is now facing a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
UK government announced a cut in financial aid to Yemen, from last year’s 164 million £ to 87 million £. The reason, according to the British government, are the financial difficulties the country is facing due to the Covid pandemic.
Hospitals should prepare for a possible second wave of COVID-19 and take steps to prevent the disease spreading, health authorities in the government-controlled part of Yemen said on Wednesday. Testing and reporting are limited because of Yemen’s more than six-year war but the number of confirmed new cases has risen in the past 10 days, after levelling off since September to just a couple a day.
A fundraising event for Yemen’s humanitarian crisis is expected to take place in early March, hosted virtually by Sweden and Switzerland, four aid sources told Reuters on Sunday. A U.N.-backed push for international donors last June fell short of its $2.4 billion target, raising only $1.3 billion for what the United Nations describes as the world’s largest humanitarian operation.
A fundraising event for Yemen’s humanitarian crisis is expected to take place in early March, hosted virtually by Sweden and Switzerland, four aid sources told Reuters on Sunday. A U.N.-backed push for international donors last June fell short of its $2.4 billion target, raising only $1.3 billion for what the United Nations describes as the world’s largest humanitarian operation.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group said it carried out a drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport on Wednesday which the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi forces in Yemen said caused a fire in a civilian aircraft.
Yemen expects a first batch of 2.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses by March through the COVAX vaccine-sharing facility, and Saudi Arabia could separately finance shots for around 50% of the population.
US President Joe Biden declared a halt to U.S. support for a Saudi Arabia-led military campaign in Yemen, demanding that the more than six-year war, a proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran, must end.
Independent U.N. sanctions monitors accused Yemen’s government of money-laundering and corruption ‘that adversely affected access to adequate food supplies’ and said the Houthi group collected at least $1.8 billion in state revenue in 2019 to help fund its war effort.
Saudi Arabia’s finance minister said on Tuesday his country was talking to manufacturers to provide COVID-19 vaccines to low-income countries including Yemen and African states. Since war-torn Yemen and some African nations would not be able to get enough vaccines through the COVAX facility
2020
Millions of men, women and children in war-torn Yemen are facing famine – again, top United Nations officials warned as they appealed for more money to prevent it – again.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the Department of State will notify Congress of his intent to designate Yemen’s Houthi movement, as a foreign terrorist organization. He also said that he intends to designate three of Ansarallahs leaders, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Houthi, and Abdullah Yahya al Hakim
The number of people who have died in Yemen after contracting coronavirus has reached 500, although aid organisations say the death toll is probably much higher.
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