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Saudi Arabia, Other GCC States Restrict Movement over Coronavirus

King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Asharq Al-Awsat
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia, Other GCC States Restrict Movement over Coronavirus

King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Asharq Al-Awsat
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia closed malls, restaurants, cafes and public parks on Sunday and other Gulf states expanded measures to contain the coronavirus.

In Saudi Arabia, local municipalities tweeted directives for the closure of malls, restaurants, coffee shops and public parks, while exempting supermarkets, pharmacies and food delivery.

The justice ministry postponed all non-urgent judicial hearings indefinitely.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have already halted international passenger flights.

The United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar reported new cases on Sunday, raising the total number in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to 948, with no deaths reported.

The UAE recorded 12 more travel-linked infections among various nationalities, raising the country's total to 98.

Dubai joined the UAE capital Abu Dhabi in closing cinemas, arcades, spas, gyms and parks.

Oman reported two more infections, including a national who had visited Italy.

Oman suspended the entry of non-Omanis except for GCC citizens. It closed parks, and suspended Friday prayers and social gatherings.

Qatar also decided to ban inbound flights to Doha, with the exception of cargo and transit flights, as of Wednesday for 14 days.

Qatar Airways later clarified that the entry ban did not apply to Qatari citizens.

Qatar's health ministry announced 64 new cases on Sunday.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Qatar Affirm Aspects of Further Bolstering Bilateral Ties

Saudi FM and his Qatari counterpart co-chairing the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi FM and his Qatari counterpart co-chairing the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia, Qatar Affirm Aspects of Further Bolstering Bilateral Ties

Saudi FM and his Qatari counterpart co-chairing the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi FM and his Qatari counterpart co-chairing the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani co-chaired the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council in Riyadh on Sunday.
The two sides discussed various aspects of further enhancing bilateral ties and cooperation in various fields.
In a speech he delivered at the onset of the meeting, Prince Faisal welcomed Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and his accompanying delegation to Saudi Arabia.
He said the meeting is being convened to discuss aspects of further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries to achieve the aspirations of the leaderships and peoples of the two countries, and promote relations towards broader horizons.
Prince Faisal said that the leaderships of the two countries consider the Coordination Council as a platform to consolidate fraternal relations in a way that achieves the Visions 2030 of both Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The Qatari prime minister praised the distinguished efforts made by the committees emanating from the Council in updating the list of initiatives, and introducing measurable and implementable milestones.
He said the meeting is a milestone in the process of developing and deepening bilateral ties between the two countries, and an affirmation of their commitment to working in accordance with the directives of the leaders of both countries.
He expressed his aspiration to accomplish and implement everything as planned.
“Today we witness the fruition of great efforts exerted by heads of the committees, their teams, liaison officers and the General Secretariat team since the onset of the eighth session of the Qatari-Saudi Coordination Council. This session is responsible for many files of joint cooperation that we eagerly seek to complete and continue the work pace with momentum to achieve the desired goals”, the Qatari PM said.
He assured commitment to continue joint efforts in a way that meets the aspirations of the leadership of the two countries and their peoples.