Middle East countries continue to take precautionary measures as coronavirus cases rise

A view shows a deserted road in Kuwait city during the 20-day nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on May 11, 2020. (File/AFP)
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Updated 13 May 2020
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Middle East countries continue to take precautionary measures as coronavirus cases rise

DUBAI: Countries in the Middle East have continued to take precautionary measures to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak in the region as the number of cases continued to increase.

In Kuwait, people were urged to follow the curfew and abide by the health authority’s instructions as the decision is expected to help reduce the number of coronavirus infections in the country.

Saudi Arabia prohibited movement in some parts of the country to help control the coronavirus spread, while in Jordan, the government announced that vehicle movement would be banned on the first day of Eid Al-Fitr which runs from May 23 to May 25.

Tuesday (GMT time)

18:10 - People in Dubai are taking advantage of an ease in coronavirus restrictions by hitting the emirate's malls, as these photos show...

17:40 - France says its COVID-19 death toll in hospitals and nursing homes has hit 26,991 and has now overtaken Spain to become fourth-highest death toll behind US, UK and Italy.

16:17 - Italy death toll from #coronavirus outbreak rises by 172 to 30,911, total number of confirmed cases rises by 1,402 to 221,21.

15:19 - Fauci warns of 'serious problems' if states reopen too soon 

14:16 -  Lebanon on Tuesday ordered a four-day-long lockdown to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

13:33 - Kuwait obliges citizens and residents to wear masks in public spaces.

13:10 - Qatar's Health Ministry: 1,526 new cases of coronavirus brings total to 25,148.

13:08 - Egyptian Supreme Judicial Council: Courts return to work from Saturday.

12:45 - Saudi Health Ministry: 1,911 new cases of coronavirus, reports nine new deaths.

12:30 - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says he is hospitalized with the coronavirus.

10:52 - Algeria will extend measures aimed at restricting movement by 15 days until May 29 to cope with rising cases of infections with the novel coronaviru. 

10:35 - Virus-hit Iran will reopen its mosques for three nights over the next week so that worshippers can pray during Laylat Al-Qadr, a minister said Tuesday.
The country shut its mosques and shrines in March as part of its efforts to contain the Middle East’s deadliest outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

09:41 - UAE has confirmed 783 new coronavirus cases, 631 new recoveries and two fatalities.

07:59 - The Spanish government ordered a two-week quarantine for all travelers coming into the country from May 15 in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus after one of Europe’s strictest lockdowns helped slow down the epidemic in Spain.

Incoming travelers will have to remain quarantined and will only be allowed to exit for grocery shopping, go to health centers and in case of “situation of need,” an official order said.

07:42 – Oman has confirmed 148 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of people infected to 3,721.

 


Iran unrest persists, top judge warns protesters

Updated 08 January 2026
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Iran unrest persists, top judge warns protesters

  • Demonstrations sparked by soaring inflation
  • Western provinces worst affected

DUBAI: Iran’s top judge warned protesters on Wednesday there would be “no ​leniency for those who help the enemy against the Islamic Republic,” while accusing Israel and the US of pursuing hybrid methods to disrupt the country.
The current protests, the biggest wave of dissent in three years, began last month in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar by shopkeepers condemning the currency’s free fall. 
Unrest has since spread nationwide amid deepening distress over economic hardships, including rocketing inflation driven by mismanagement and Western sanctions, and curbs on political and ‌social freedoms.
“Following announcements ‌by Israel and the US president, there is no excuse for those coming ‌to the ​streets for ‌riots and unrest, chief justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of Iran’s judiciary, was quoted as saying by state media.
“From now on, there will be no leniency for whoever helps the enemy against the Islamic Republic and the calm of the people,” Ejei said.
Iranian authorities have not given ‌a death toll for protesters, but have said at least two members of the security services have died and more than a dozen have been injured.
Iran’s western provinces have witnessed the most violent protests.
“During the funeral of two people ​in Malekshahi on Tuesday, a number of attendees began chanting harsh, anti-system slogans,” said Iran’s Fars, news agency.
After the funeral, Fars said, “about 100 mourners went into the city and trashed three banks ... Some started shooting at the police trying to disperse them.”
The semi-official Mehr news agency said protesters stormed a food store and emptied bags of rice, which has been affected by galloping inflation that has made ordinary staples increasingly unaffordable for many Iranians.