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Gulf countries, including UAE, continue to impose Covid-19 restrictions and tighten rules to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus and its variants.
The new measures include setting capacity limits for offices, public places such as malls, eateries and fitness centres as well as restrictions on weddings and gatherings to control Covid cases in the Gulf region.
Travel bans have also been re-introduced to prevent entry of new infectious variants in the countries.
Below is the full list of Covid-19 related restrictions that are in place in GCC countries as on February 7:
Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia has suspended entry to the Kingdom from 20 countries, with the exception of diplomats, Saudi citizens, medical practitioners and their families. The countries include UAE, Argentina, Germany, US, Indonesia, Britain, South Africa, France, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Ireland, Italy, Brazil, Portugal, Turkey, Sweden, Switzerland and Japan.
- The Kingdom closed cinemas, restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, gyms and sports centres on February 4 for 10 days, subject to extension.
Also read: Saudi Arabia tightens Covid safety rules
- All events and parties, including weddings, corporate meetings and gatherings have been suspended for a period of 30 days, subject to extension, from February 4.
Kuwait
- Kuwait announced last week that it would suspend entry for non-citizens for two weeks from February 7. UAE airlines – Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways and flydubai – have announced travel restrictions to Kuwait. only Kuwait nationals, first-degree Kuwaiti relatives and domestic workers travelling with a Kuwaiti sponsor can enter Kuwait.
- Kuwait has ordered the closure of health clubs, gyms, resorts, beauty salons and hairdressing centres and salons and asked other commercial businesses to cease operating at 8pm to 5am every day for one month, starting February 7.
- Pharmacies, supermarkets and other food supply stores, however, would be exempt from the rule.
- All restaurant reception halls have also been ordered to close from 8pm to 5am. However, home delivery services will be allowed to operate during the closure time.
- All forms of sports activities have also been suspended.
- Mandatory institutional quarantine for all those arriving in the country for one week at their own expense as well as another week of quarantine at home.
The country has warned employees against violating rules or face heavy fines.
Bahrain
Bahrain has also imposed a series of restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. These rules will remain in effect from February 7 to February 27.
- 70 per cent government employees to work from home.
- Temporary closure of in-door gyms and sports halls, and swimming pools
- Outdoor exercising for gyms and sports halls may continue with a maximum of 30 individuals.
Also read: Full list of Bahrain's Covid restrictions
- Temporary suspension of indoor fitness classes.
- All social gatherings or private events held at home, and private locations, with more than 30 individuals, are prohibited.
Qatar
Qatar also announced a number of restrictions from February 4.
- Qatari markets to operate at 50 per cent capacity
- Nurseries will operate at 30per cent capacity.
- Shopping malls to run at 50 per cent capacity
- All leisure centres closed
- Food courts to accept only take-away and delivery only orders
- Restaurants capacity limited to 50 per cent outdoors and 15 per cent indoors
- Restaurants certified by the Qatar Clean Program can operate with in indoor capacity at 30per cent
- All social gatherings limited to a maximum of 5 people indoors and 15 people outdoors
- Weddings in closed and open spaces are not allowed until further notice
- Weddings allowed at home or in the majlis in the presence of relatives of the spouses only at a maximum of 10 people indoors and 20 people outdoors.
- Capacity on personal boats reduced to 15 people
- Operations of rental, excursion and touristic boats stopped
Oman
Also read: Oman bans events, foreign travel
- Oman has ordered closure of its land borders until February 8 to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The borders were closed on January 19.
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