ArchiveJuly 2020

Travel Guidelines Issued

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Oman’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation has announced it has issued new travel guidelines. Under the guidelines, Omani citizens will have to have a valid health insurance policy for the country they are travelling to and comply with the anti-Coronavirus measures in that country. Citizens and foreigners can travel from Oman without a permit while citizens travelling back to Oman will have...

Print Media Can Resume

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The UAE’s National Media Council has announced print newspapers, magazines and marketing publications can resume. The Council issued a Circular to this effect. They can resume providing they comply with anti-Coronavirus measures. However, they cannot be distributed in places like coffee shops and cafes and they can only be used for personal use in offices. Print media was suspended on 23...

Working Hours for All Commercial Activities Extended

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Jordan’s Industry, Trade, and Supply Minister and the Head of Work, Production and Supply Chains Committee has announced the working hours for all commercial activities has been extended until midnight. It came into force on 22 July 2020.The curfew has also been extended to 1:00 am. The extensions were issued in line with Jordan Defence Order No. 6/2020. It follows a recommendation from the...

Mosques Can Increase Capacity to 50% From 3 August

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The UAE authorities have announced mosques can increase their capacity to 50% from 3 August. However, worshippers will still have to comply with the social distancing rules and keep two metres between them. They have to comply with all other anti-Coronavirus measures. The period between the call to prayer and prayers will be extended to ten minutes, except for Maghrib prayer, which will be five...

Expatriates Over 60 Should Not be Allowed to Return

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Kuwait’s Interior Ministry has announced it is considering not allowing expatriates over 60 to return to the country. The Ministry are studying the status of 70,000 expatriates who have been stranded because of Coronavirus. The Ministry will report back next week and are expected to recommend who should be allowed back into the country. Those who are allowed to return will be issued with...

Schools to Reopen Gradually From 1 September

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Qatar’s Education and Higher Education Ministry has announced public and private schools will reopen gradually from 1 September. In the first phase, schools will be open from 1 to 3 September and no more than a third of the school’s population will be able to attend. In the second phase, schools and kindergartens will be open from 6 to 17 September and no more than 50% of the...

Nationals in Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE Can Return

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Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Kuwait has announced national there and Bahrain and the UAE and their companions can return to the Kingdom. Saudi nationals who are in Bahrain will be able to return via the King Fahd bridge. All nationals will have to comply with the relevant anti-Coronavirus measures and will not have to get permission first. Full story

Free PCR Test Requirement Clarified

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According to sources, the free PCR test requirement has been clarified. It will be free for those who can travel. Those who can travel are students studying abroad, patients receiving medical treatment abroad and those who submit an application to the Interior Ministry with the relevant accompanying documents showing showing the reasons for travel, including those who have medical review dates...

Lock Down Exemptions Announced

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The Undersecretary of Oman’s Trade and Industry Ministry has announced the exemptions to the national lock down in the Sultanate. Trucks with loads exceeding three tonnes will be allowed to move between governorates to transport food, especially fresh products with a short shelf life. Fuel trucks and cooking gas cars who have permits from the Trade and Industry Ministry will also be allowed...

Ajman: Leisure Activities to be Allowed to Resume

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Ajman’s Economic Development Department has announced leisure activities, training centre activities and consultancy and education services will be allowed to resume. They have issued a Protocol to this effect. The Protocol outlines the anti-Coronavirus conditions and requirements which should be followed by these enterprises. Full story