Qatar Airways set to resume gradual flights

DOHA, May 7, (Agencies): Qatar Airways said it would resume gradual flights in line with demand and amidst easing of restrictions around the world, which were imposed due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Qatar Airways, in a statement, said it continued operations during the pandemic crisis by operating to over 30 destinations which helped more than a million passengers to return to their countries.

Qatar Airways was looking forward to operating flights to 80 destinations by end of June.

Iran

Iranian authorities announced 1,485 infections due to the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 103,135.

A Health Ministry official said that the number of COVID-19 deaths in the country climbed to 6,486 after recording 68 new cases.

Those recovering from the virus reached 82,744.

Oman

The Sultanate of Oman announced the discovery of 55 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections to 2,958.

According to the Oman News Agency (ONA), the number of cases recovering from the coronavirus was at 980.

A number of 13 individuals in total died since the spread of COVID-19 in Oman.

Lebanon

Lebanon announced 34 new coronavirus infections, bringing the total to 784.

In its daily report, the health ministry affirmed that the total number of deaths due to the virus settled at 25, noting that the recoveries reached 220.

Some 1,976 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.

Turkey

Turkey is preparing to test 150,000 citizens to determine how widely the novel coronavirus has spread among the population, the country’s health minister said.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said the sample would be done with both PCR tests that are used to detect antigens from viral infections and with antibody tests. He did not say when the testing would begin.

“We want to see the extent of the spread, the carriers and the condition of the patients,” Koca said after a meeting with the country’s scientific advisory council.

The Turkish government plans to gradually ease restrictions it imposed during the pandemic. Shopping malls, barber shops and hair salons are set to reopen.

Koca said that during the next phase of the outbreak, people in Turkey should expect a “controlled social life.”

“We are not returning to normal. We are introducing new a new normal into our lives,” he said. “The controlled social life will have rules of its own, and we will have get used to these rules and lead a new kind of life.”

He added: “The risk continues; losing control will invite a second wave of infections.”

The health minister also reported that Turkey had 64 virus-related deaths in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total in the country to 3,584. He also announced 2,253 new confirmed cases, for a total of 131,744. The daily numbers were slightly higher than the death and infection figures reported.

Turkey ranks eighth in the world for number of confirmed cases, according to Johns Hopkins University data, although experts believe the tally around the world is

higher than reported.

The Interior Ministry issued guidelines ahead of the expected opening of barber shops and beauty salons. The shops would need to operate on only a by-appointment basis, customers would have to sit apart from each other, and both clients and stylists would be required to wear masks.

Barbers would be able to cut hair but not shave facial hair, the ministry guidelines state.