Persian Gulf States See Coronavirus Cases Rise to Near 2020 Highs
DUBAI (Dispatches) – Several Persian Gulf Arab states have seen daily coronavirus cases climb back towards highs recorded last year, prompting authorities to reimpose restrictions on travel and gatherings as they roll out vaccination campaigns.
Bahrain on Tuesday registered 759 new daily infections, slightly above the previous record number in September.
The kingdom also banned prayers at mosques for two weeks as of Thursday, state news agency BNA said. Daily infections had fallen below 200 late last year.
In Kuwait, daily cases rose above 1,000 on Tuesday for the first time since May, after having fallen below 300 in December.
On 7 February, the country suspended the entry of non-Kuwaitis for two weeks except for first-degree relatives, such as parents and children, and accompanying domestic workers. It also closed gyms and salons, Reuters reported.
Saudi Arabia, where daily infections have risen to above 300 but are still far from the daily highs of nearly 4,000 recorded last year, has indefinitely suspended entry for non-citizens from 20 countries, with the exception of diplomats and health workers.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has seen the biggest surge, with daily infections tripling in around six weeks to a record 3,977 on 3 February.
The numbers have since edged down but the UAE on Tuesday recorded 17 deaths linked to the virus, its highest daily figure since the outbreak began.
Last week, visitors from several countries told Middle East Eye they were shocked by how desolate Dubai felt.
Bahrain on Tuesday registered 759 new daily infections, slightly above the previous record number in September.
The kingdom also banned prayers at mosques for two weeks as of Thursday, state news agency BNA said. Daily infections had fallen below 200 late last year.
In Kuwait, daily cases rose above 1,000 on Tuesday for the first time since May, after having fallen below 300 in December.
On 7 February, the country suspended the entry of non-Kuwaitis for two weeks except for first-degree relatives, such as parents and children, and accompanying domestic workers. It also closed gyms and salons, Reuters reported.
Saudi Arabia, where daily infections have risen to above 300 but are still far from the daily highs of nearly 4,000 recorded last year, has indefinitely suspended entry for non-citizens from 20 countries, with the exception of diplomats and health workers.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has seen the biggest surge, with daily infections tripling in around six weeks to a record 3,977 on 3 February.
The numbers have since edged down but the UAE on Tuesday recorded 17 deaths linked to the virus, its highest daily figure since the outbreak began.
Last week, visitors from several countries told Middle East Eye they were shocked by how desolate Dubai felt.