GULF COUNTRIES START OPENING UP AS MASS VACCINATION LOWERS INFECTIONS
SCHOOLS, TRAVEL AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES BEGIN RESUMING IN 5 COUNTRIES
Months of mass vaccinations against Covid-19 have paid off in Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain initiated inoculation campaigns in December 2020. The drive has picked pace, resulting in a declining infection rate and allowing the five countries, home to large communities of migrant workers, to ease restrictions and open up the economy.
SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia last month allowed direct arrival of expats from several countries from where flights were suspended.
Expats from those countries are no longer required to go into quarantine, or transit in other countries if they have had two doses of approved vaccines.
In June, Saudi Arabia started vaccinating school students in the 12-18 age group ahead of the new school year that began on August 29. The new academic year marked reintroduction of in-person classes amid mandatory inoculation after suspension of more than a year.
As of August 1, Saudi Arabia limited access to government and private offices, malls, educational institutions, cultural, entertainment and sports events as well as public transport to vaccinated people.
Vaccination: Around 38 million doses have been administered in the kingdom of around 34.8 million people since vaccinations kicked off on December 17.
KUWAIT
In the past month, Kuwait has reported a significant drop in cases, deaths and hospitalisations. In August, Kuwait recorded the lowest number of Covid-19 cases in eight months. Deaths also decreased 72 per cent compared to July. On September 3, daily deaths dropped below the 100 mark for the first time since April 2020.
After a seven-month ban, expats can travel to Kuwait as long as they received two doses of an approved vaccine.
As of June 27, only people who have taken at least one vaccine dose are allowed into restaurants, cafes, gyms, shops and malls. On September 1, amusement parks and children’s recreational facilities reopened after 18 months.
Public schools will return to in-person learning on October 3, while private schools will resume on September 27. Unvaccinated teachers, administrative staff and children above the age of 12, will need to show a proof of a negative PCR every Sunday to enter schools.
■ Vaccination: Kuwait has achieved over 70 per cent vaccination in the country of around 4.8 million people. Dr Khalid Al Saeed, a member of the Covid-19 committee, expects to achieve herd immunity by end of September.
BAHRAIN
Bahrain is adopting an alert light signal mechanism showing the level of Covid-19 spread on the basis of which economic sectors are opened or closed. The four-level mechanism comprises the colours green, yellow, orange and red. Remote learning will be adopted for all students when the red level is announced.
The new school year begins on September 7 when a system blending in-person and remote learning will be implemented.
Starting September 3, the green level went into effect, whereby vaccinated and unvaccinated people can access educational institutions, malls, restaurants, cafes, gyms, barbershops, and entertainment facilities. However, only vaccinated people are allowed into cinemas and indoor events.
Bahrain last month removed India, Pakistan, Panama and the Dominican Republic from its Red List. Pre-departure PCR tests are no longer required for those entering Bahrain from non-Red List countries whose vaccination certificates are recognised.
However, all passengers continue to undergo PCR tests on arrival and on the fifth and 10th days of their stay.
■ Vaccination: No official figures are available on overall vaccination in the country of about 1.7 million people. Since May, the kingdom started giving booster shots. Around 80 per cent of eligible individuals aged 40 and older have received the booster jabs.
In recent weeks, Bahrain has reported a marked decrease in infections. It has so far recorded 273,113 cases and 1,388 deaths.
OMAN
Khoula Hospital, Oman’s premier government hospital, last week discharged its last Covid-19 patient. Patients admitted in health institutions daily across Oman have come down to 107, and those admitted in ICU declined to 52.
Educational institutions will resume in-person classes from September 19. Oman has also removed travel restrictions since September 1. Normal commercial flight operations, suspended in certain countries since midJune, have opened up. All government offices have started operating at full capacity.
International arrivals must show proof of vaccinations. Foreign residents and citizens, who have got only one jab, have to undergo mandatory institutional quarantine on arrival. Vaccination is also mandatory for expats to renew their visas.
Only fully vaccinated people are permitted entry into offices and commercial establishments, including malls, restaurants, cafes, private and government offices.
■ Vaccination: Oman aims to achieve 100 per cent vaccination before the year ends. Up to 70.5 per cent of the population has been inoculated so far.
QATAR
Amid a steady decline in cases, the country of 2.7 million people in July introduced the third phase of a four-phase plan for return to normal life.
Schools reopened on August 29 with a blended system of inperson and remote learning. Students, teachers and administrative staff must wear masks and observe social distancing of 1.5 metres. Thermal screening is conducted on arrival.
Pre-registration on the Ehteraz website is now optional for citizens and foreign residents travelling to Qatar. It is still mandatory for visitors.
From August 2, vaccinated arrivals from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and Sri Lanka and passengers who recovered from Covid-19 go into two-day hotel quarantine. They are allowed to leave on the second day if they test negative. All other arrivals are subject to quarantine for 10 days.
■ Vaccination: Qatar initiated mass vaccinations on December 23. Around 4.5 million doses have been administered. Qatar has recorded 233,756 infections and 603 deaths.