Gulf countries have responded to the coronavirus outbreak by introducing travel bans, stepping up screening measures at important entry points and rescheduling – and in some cases cancelling – significant sports and cultural events.
More than 93,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed worldwide, the overwhelming majority in China, where it originated late last year. However, the new coronavirus now appears to be spreading much more rapidly outside the Asian country.
At least 2,476 have so far tested positive in the Gulf region, including hard-hit Iran which has registered 2,336 cases and 77 deaths, including a close adviser of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who died after falling ill from the virus.
Authorities in Iran have closed down schools and universities and cancelled a series of art, film and sports events in a bid to stem the outbreak. They also designated at least 230 hospitals across the country to treat infections.
Khamenei on Tuesday said all public institutions, including the armed forces, need to do their best to support the health ministry in the fight against the virus. Some 300,000 health ministry employees are working to stem the spread of the virus.
Saudi Arabia on Monday registered its first infection, a man who arrived from Iran via Bahrain.
Mohammed Abdelali, a health ministry spokesman, told a news conference on Tuesday that some 70 people whom the infected man interacted with since arriving in the kingdom have been isolated and that their test results are expected within hours.
Also on Tuesday, Saudi officials said additional precautionary measures have been taken at border crossings, including a ban on citizens and residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from entering the kingdom for 14 days after returning from places where coronavirus is spread.
The six-member bloc is made up of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.
The kingdom also advised citizens and residents against travelling to Germany and France, where there has been a rising number of infections. Similar advice was issued last week against travel to Japan and Italy.
Meanwhile, the Red Sea International Film Festival said it will postpone its inaugural edition, which was scheduled to run during March 12-21, in the second city of Jeddah.
“The spread of coronavirus is a battle we all must face around the globe,” said a statement posted on the festival’s website, adding that the new date would be announced as soon as feasible.
The Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship has also postponed its Saudi Arabia Grand Prix indefinitely due to the global outbreak.
