GCC states step up fight against virus
DUBAI: Dubai imposed a two-week lockdown last night and Saudi Arabia sealed off parts of the Red Sea city of Jeddah as Gulf states tightened measures in big cities to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Dubai had been under an overnight curfew along with the rest of the UAE since March 26. Its Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management said the lockdown would now run around the clock for two weeks, state news agency WAM said.
In Saudi Arabia, authorities announced a lockdown and a partial curfew in seven neighbourhoods of Jeddah also starting yesterday as part of measures to contain the outbreak, the interior ministry said.
Saudi Arabia is worst hit in the GCC. It had reported 2,179 cases of confirmed infections up until last night and 29 deaths.
In Dubai, mobility will be restricted and legal action taken against violators though supermarkets and pharmacies, as well as food and drug delivery services would continue normal operations.
People can only leave their homes for essential purposes and just one family member is permitted to go out at any one time. People working in vital sectors, or those exempted from restrictions, will not be affected.
Dubai’s metro and tram service will be suspended for two weeks and free bus transportation and a 50 per cent discount on taxi rides will be offered during the lockdown.
The UAE, where infected cases have jumped by 840 since April, also extended its de facto overnight curfew indefinitely to disinfect public areas by spraying streets, parks and public transport facilities.
Abu Dhabi’s government yesterday extended closure of malls, cinemas, entertainment facilities and gyms until further notice.
Yesterday, UAE reported 241 infections and one death over the past 24 hours, taking the total confirmed cases to 1,505 and the death toll to 10, according to government tweets.
In Saudi Arabia, residents in seven Jeddah neighbourhoods could only go out for grocery shopping and medical care between 6am and 3pm and movement in and out of the areas will be restricted.
Similar measures have been announced in the past few days in other Saudi cities, including the Gulf port of Dammam, the main entry point for supply to the kingdom’s oil industry.
Oman had reported 277 cases and one death up until yesterday while Qatar last updated its official COVID-19 page on Friday, reporting 1,075 cases and three deaths.
Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/788901/GCC-states-step-up--fight-against-virus
