Author: News Desk

Saudi Arabia will introduce a full day lockdown and curfew across the Kingdom during the upcoming Eid holidays from May 23 until May 27, according to the Kingdom’s Interior Ministry. Until then, the currently easing of restrictions – including the resumption of economic activities – will continue until the end of Ramadan. Under the current conditions, people will be allowed outside their homes during the morning for eight hours beginning from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. The Ministry of Interior also said that Mecca will remain under a full lockdown and curfew for the time being. A ban on entering…

Twitter has told employees they can keep working from home “forever” if they wish. In a statement, the company said it was “one of the first companies to go to a WFH model in the face of COVID-19, but [doesn’t] anticipate being one of the first to return to offices.” The company said if employees are in a role and situation that enables them to work from home and they want to continue doing so “forever,” then “we will make that happen.” “If not, our offices will be their warm and welcoming selves, with some additional precautions, when we feel it’s…

In support of healthcare staff battling the COVID-19 pandemic, the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), car-sharing app (ekar) and the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) launched an initiative to offer free month-long car rentals for healthcare professionals in Abu Dhabi. The initiative signals recognition of the huge efforts of healthcare workers combating the virus, and aims to ease some of the burdens of healthcare professionals. “This initiative represents the cooperation between government and private sectors in their fight against the outbreak of Covid-19 and provides support to the efforts of healthcare professionals to curb the disease,” the ITC said in…

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus and was receiving treatment at hospital, Russian news agencies reported. “Yes, I am sick. I am receiving treatment,” Peskov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency. Peskov said he had last met Putin in person over a month ago, the TASS news agency reported. The Kremlin says Putin’s health is rigorously protected and that he gets the best medical treatment Russia has to offer. Putin, who has been working remotely from his residence outside Moscow and holding many meetings via…

Minister of Health, HE Faeqa Al Saleh, today announced that the ministry has expanded the capacity of its isolation and quarantine treatment centres across the Kingdom. the capacity at isolation centres now stands at 4,257 beds of which 3,218 are currently occupied, and 5,489 beds at quarantine centres, of which 533 are occupied. HE the Minister added that the ministry is following a comprehensive national plan initiated by the National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus (COVID-19), which is continually reviewed and modified based on COVID-19 developments. HE the Minister emphasised that the national efforts undertaken by Team Bahrain, led by…

The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that some treatments appear to be limiting the severity or length of the COVID-19 disease and that it was focusing on learning more about four or five of the most promising ones, reported Reuters. The Geneva-based WHO is leading a global initiative to develop safe and effective vaccines, tests and drugs to prevent, diagnose and treat COVID-19. The respiratory illness has infected 4.19 million people around the world, according to a Reuters tally. WHO official Margaret Harris sounded a note of caution around expectations for a vaccine, however, saying coronaviruses, in general, are…

The Dubai Tram will resume regular service starting Wednesday, May 13, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced today. Commuters are obliged to wear masks to ensure maximum protection of both riders and operators, the authority said. “Dubai Tram, marine transport and shared transport will resume regular service as of Wednesday, 13th May. Proactive and preventive health measures will remain enforced including physical distancing, especially aboard public transport means and in stations,” the RTA said in a tweet. The tram will operate from Saturday to Thursday from 7am until 11pm, and on Friday from 10am until 11pm. “If you’re planning…

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced the application of new standards in government and private hospitals to confront the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Saudi Gazette, the Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) said that a new list of “updated” criteria to combat the virus will be implemented. “The evaluation of hospitals under the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the private sector will begin this week. This will be undertaken in two phases in accordance with the updated standards as well as in line with the updates issued by MoH. Speaking to Al-Arabiya, Dr. Salem Al-Wahhabi, director-general of CBAHI,…

Bahrain tested a total of 190,780 until now. There are 3,075 active cases. These include 3,070 stable cases and 5 critical cases. 2,152 people have been discharged. Only 9 deaths have been reported until now. This takes the total cases in Bahrain to 5,236. The active cases crossed 3,00 yesterday night. The Ministry of Health announced today the death of an 80-year-old male national. About the COVID-19 Deaths Read more about the 9th death – Click Here Read more about the 8th death – Click Here Read more about the 7th death – Click Here Read more about the 6th death – Click Here Read…

The Ministry of Health announces the death of an 80-year-old male national. The patient, along with all other active COVID-19 cases, had been placed in isolation and received extensive 24-hour treatment from a specialised medical team The Ministry of Health expresses its heartfelt condolences to the individual’s family during this difficult time. This is the 9th death of a COVID-19 patient. About the COVID-19 Deaths Read more about the eighth death – Click Here Read more about the seventh death – Click Here Read more about the sixth death – Click Here Read more about the fifth death – Click…