Gulf limits entry as virus spreads
Saudi restricts movement, shuts eateries, malls, others 963 cases in Gulf Arab states, many linked to Iran travel
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has closed public spaces and announced a pause in most government operations while Qatar and Oman imposed entry restrictions as Gulf Arab states broadened efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus and support their economies. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar reported new cases, raising the total number in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to 963, with no deaths reported.
Qatar, which now has 401 cases, said it would ban non-Qatari passengers from entering the country for two weeks starting on Wednesday. It announced measures to shield its economy, including 75 billion riyals ($20.5 billion) in incentives for the private sector and more state investment in the local bourse. Oman said that as of Tuesday it would allow in only GCC citizens, and ordered the suspension of Friday prayers, social events such as weddings and closure of public parks.
Saudi Arabia reported 15 more coronavirus cases, taking its total to 118. Local municipalities tweeted directives for the closure of malls, restaurants, coffee shops and public parks, while exempting supermarkets, pharmacies and food delivery. Al Arabiya TV said the measures would apply across the country. State news agency SPA reported that government operations were suspended for 16 days except for the health and security sectors. The justice ministry said earlier non-urgent judicial hearings were postponed indefinitely.
Regional tourism and business hub Dubai joined the UAE capital Abu Dhabi in closing cinemas, arcades, spas, gyms and parks, prompting a rush on supermarkets where many shoppers wore masks and gloves, residents said. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange closed trading halls until further notice, a day after Kuwait’s bourse did the same. The UAE recorded 12 more travel-linked infections among various nationalities — South African, Australian, Chinese, Filipino, Italian, Lebanese, British, Iranian, Emirati and three Indians — raising its total to 98.
Drastic measures
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, which previously cancelled the Umrah pilgrimage and locked down its eastern Qatif region, have taken the most drastic steps among Gulf states by halting international passenger flights. The UAE and Qatar have restricted entry visas. Emirates airline suspended more flights. Saudi Arabia’s central bank will intervene to support the kingdom’s economy if liquidity is tight or credit is affected, its governor said, reiterating a commitment to the riyal’s dollar peg. An American living in the Saudi capital Riyadh said his parents cut short their visit ahead of the kingdom’s two-week flight ban which went into effect at 0800 GMT.
“I’m glad that they’re off even though it means 24 hours in the airport hotel in Dubai,” he said. Two gated compounds in Riyadh housing hundreds of expatriates each reported one case among residents, according to internal emails seen by Reuters. Some compounds restricted residents’ movements and guest access.
Citizens and residents in Kuwait, which went into virtual lockdown on Thursday, had their temperatures tested before entering bank branches, where long queues formed on Sunday.
Rivalries
Many cases in the Gulf are linked to travel with Iran, which on Sunday raised its toll to 724 dead and more than 13,900 infected. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday the government had no plans to quarantine cities, state TV reported. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, both adversaries of Iran, have criticized the Islamic Republic for allowing their citizens to enter without stamping their passports. However, the outbreak has also seen rivalries sidelined. In a rare phone call, UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan told his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif the UAE was ready to help, state media said on Sunday. Iranian media said Zarif thanked the UAE, which has facilitated medical supply shipments.— Reuters
‘Weakness and dysfunction’
Both candidates have cancelled planned rallies, and on Sunday they acknowledged shifting from live gatherings to televised or online events - and that they are each taking precautions like routine hand-washing to avoid getting infected. Scrapping live events could pose a particular handicap to Sanders, who has consistently mobilized large and enthusiastic crowds.
He may find one advantage. The pandemic “exposes the incredible weakness and dysfunction of our current healthcare system,” said Sanders, who advocates a government-run system that expands coverage to all Americans. Biden, after a near-calamitous start to the primary season, has staged a spectacular comeback. The states voting Tuesday, which all show Biden with doubledigit leads in polling, should help him consolidate his lead, particularly in Florida where he holds a 40-point advantage. Sanders was the campaign’s putative leader just weeks ago, but he is the clear underdog now. “If I lose this thing, Joe, I will be there for you,” Sanders said, in a revealing moment. But he expressed worry that Biden would not be able to rally young and Latino voters, two crucial constituencies. “I have my doubts that Biden’s campaign can generate that energy and excitement and voter turnout,” Sanders said.
For some, Sanders’ continued campaign was a way to gain a last bit of leverage before finally dropping out - to help advance elements of his “political revolution” and bring some of his progressive ideas more firmly into the mainstream. But as Sanders repeatedly promoted his Medicare for All plan, Biden pushed back saying it was unlikely to pass Congress. “We have problems we have to solve now,” Biden said. “What’s the revolution going to do? Disrupt everything in the meantime?”— AFP