UAE and Oman spur post-Covid-19 recovery

01 November 2020
Committees formed to accelerate post-pandemic economic prospects as Mena case tally crosses 2.68 million

The number of Covid-19 cases in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region crossed 2,686,989 on 1 November, according to Worldometers data collated by MEED.

Countries in the GCC comprise 34.8 per cent (934,472) of all cases, while Iran alone accounts for 22.8 per cent (612,772) of the 2.68 million infections.

Gulf countries are stepping up efforts to spur economic recovery in the aftermath of the pandemic.

On 31 October, the UAE's Supreme Committee for Covid-19 Crisis Management formed the National Covid-19 Crisis Recovery Management and Governance Committee.

The agency will be chaired by Sultan bin Ahmed al-Jaber, minister of industry and advanced technology.

The committee is mandated to ensure recovery from the Covid-19 crisis by leveraging the resources required for business continuity and developing proactive support programmes for various establishments by identifying their roles, responsibilities, and key strategic and operational performance indicators.

To date, the UAE has reported 132,629 cases of Covid-19, with 128,902 recoveries and 495 deaths.

News of the UAE's new committee came after Said bin Mohammed al Saqri, Oman's minister of economy, issued a decision on 28 October stipulating the formation of a working team to stimulate the national economy. 

The team will propose policies and economic programmes to activate the national economy and macro-economy under the circumstances posed by the pandemic.

Oman has reported 114,434 cases of Covid-19, with 103,060 recoveries and 1,208 deaths.

Covid-19 in the Mena region:

(1 November 2020)

COUNTRYLATEST UPDATES

Saudi Arabia               

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 347,282
  • Recoveries: 333,842
  • Deaths: 5,402

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 18 October: President General of the Grand Holy Mosque & Prophet's Holy Mosque Affairs, Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz al-Sudais, inaugurates disinfection and sterilisation device at the Prophet’s Holy Mosque and Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah.
  • 12 October: Ministry of Health calls on patients with uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, cirrhosis and coronary artery disease, among others, to postpone Umrah plans as Covid-19 risks persist. 

 Measures to minimise the economic crisis:   

  • 27 October: Cabinet approves plan to allocated SR500,000 ($133,340) for families of health workers who died from Covid-19. The grant will apply to those who worked in both public and private sectors, civilian or military and to all nationalities, and recorded their infection from 2 March onwards. 
  • 25 October: Ministry of Hajj & Umrah issues guidelines for Umrah performers from outside Saudi Arabia, who will be permitted to conduct the pilgrimage under the third phase of the kingdom's programme from 1 November. Pilgrims aged 18-50 years will be permitted, and they must provide a PCR examination certificate with a negative result received within 72 hours before the time of departure to the kingdom. Pilgrims must also have prior reservation to perform Umrah and prayers in the Grand Mosque and to visit other holy sites.
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
UAE

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 132,629
  • Recoveries: 128,902
  • Deaths: 495

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 12 October: Khalifa University of Science and Technology researchers develop prototypes of Nava Mask, a biodegradable environment-friendly anti-viral face mask. The team has filed for a patent licence for the mask's material, a project that Khalifa University worked on with Italy's University of Salerno. Phase 3 trials of adenovirus-based vaccine named Sputnik-V begin under the Russian Direct Investment Fund's partnership with Aurugulf Health Investment in the UAE. The trials will be conducted by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, under the supervision of the UAE Ministry of Health & Prevention, with medical protocols handled by Abu Dhabi’s public health provider, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company. Dubai Health Authority says residents can book appointments to get tested for Covid-19 at malls including City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira and Mall of the Emirates. 

Measures to minimise the economic crisis:   

  • 31 October: Supreme Committee for Covid-19 Crisis Management forms National Covid-19 Crisis Recovery Management and Governance Committee, which will be chaired by Sultan bin Ahmed al-Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. The committee is mandated to ensure recovery from the Covid-19 crisis by leveraging the resources required for business continuity and developing proactive support programmes for various establishments by identifying their roles, responsibilities and key strategic and operational performance indicators.
  • 28 October: Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, suggests steps to expedite the gradual recovery of travel and tourism. Griffiths suggested approving an accurate, fast and easy-to-manage joint Covid-19 testing procedure; developing a joint international protocol for testing, isolation and protection; and signing bilateral agreements to adopt these measures and to create sterile travel corridors.
  • 26 October: Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry pledges to continue supporting local business community cope with the financial consequences of Covid-19. Separately, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry conference discusses the significance of prioritising sustainability as an integral part of their strategies to tackle new challenges and prepare for post-pandemic recovery.
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Bahrain

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 81,645
  • Recoveries: 78,719
  • Deaths: 321

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 26 October: School Health Department at Bahrain's Education Ministry starts round of daily inspection visits to all schools to determine the safety of the precautionary measures they will roll out during the partial return of students. 
  • 24 October: Royal Humanitarian Foundation distributes 10,000 masks across the kingdom's Southern Governorate.
  • 21 October: Rapid antigen test pilot programme to be rolled out imminently, targeting 20,000 individuals, including schools, healthcare workers and symptomatic patients. More than 8,000 rapid antigen tests, which are said to provide accurate results in 15 minutes, have been conducted to date. Separately, classes at the British School of Bahrain have been suspended for 10 days after a Covid-19 case was detected on 19 October. The school will not reopen until the Public Health Department confirms that no other positive cases have emerged.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis:  

  • 23 October: Labour & Social Development Minister, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, issues circular stipulating the re-opening of Labour Ministry-licensed nurseries on 25 October amid strict precautionary measures. 
  • 21 October: Based on the recommendations of the National Medical Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus, indoor dining services at restaurants and cafes will resume on 24 October, capped at 30 customers a venue. A gradual return to in-person teaching at public schools and private nurseries will resume on 25 October for parents/guardians that have opted for in-class learning.
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Kuwait

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 125,926
  • Recoveries: 116,862
  • Deaths: 779

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 23 October: Health ministry says allegations of patients being denied hospital admission are "divorced from reality", adding that citizens and residents must continue to adhere to precautionary measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. 

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

  • 28 October: Cabinet handpicks seniors, patients with chronic diseases, medics, front-liners and providers of basic services as major categories to be vaccinated against Covid-19 once the country takes delivers of a first shipment of vaccines.
  • 21 October: Passengers arriving in Kuwait via a transit destination may no longer have to undergo PCR tests or quarantine at the stopover destination and may instead be tested directly upon arrival. Kuwait Airways chairman, Ali al-Dakhan, said the proposal is awaiting approval from health and civil aviation authorities. Al-Dakhan said the move could allow flights to operate on a 24-hour basis and improve the state-backed airline's revenues. Kuwait Airways plans to resume flights to Saudi Arabia from 25 October.
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Oman

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 114,434
  • Recoveries: 103,060
  • Deaths: 1,208

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 25 October: Ministry of Education says all students except those in grade 12 will start the new academic year through remote learning. Grade 12 students will attend classes on a weekly basis. 
  • 21 October: Supreme committee tasked with managing Covid-19 response expresses "extreme anxiety" about individuals flouting precautionary measures and urges compliance to reduce instances of infections. The authority also confirmed that the ongoing night-time lockdown will end on 24 October.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

  • 28 October: Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Saeedi, Minister of Health and member of the supreme committee tackling Covid-19, says 1,800,030 doses of a vaccine under development have been reserved for Oman as a first batch, adding that he hoped the consignment would arrive before end-2020 and that second batch will include 1.8 million doses of the vaccine as well. Separately, Said bin Mohammed al Saqri, Minister of Economy, issues decision stipulating the formation of a working team to devise policies and programmes to stimulate the national economy. The team will propose policies and economic programmes to activate the national economy and macro-economy under the circumstances posed by the pandemic.
  • 21 October: Supreme committee confirms new academic year will begin on 1 November and approves blended learning model for students. 
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Qatar

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 132,556
  • Recoveries: 129,583
  • Deaths: 232

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 21 October: Chairman of National Strategic Group on Covid-19 and head of Hamad Medical Corporation's infectious diseases division, Abdullatif al-Khal, says schools will be closed for two weeks if three Covid-19 cases are detected in the same class, or if 5 per cent of students or staff are infected. The number of cases among school students is less than 1 per cent of the total national tally, he said, adding: "Epidemiologists in Qatar do not expect a new wave but the picture will become clear about the possibility of a new wave of the virus during the next four or eight weeks."

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

  • 19 October: Qatar Development Bank's (QDB) Covid-19 response package, launched as part of the government's programme to support local businesses, has received an additional QR2bn, taking its total value to QR5bn, according to local daily newspaper the Peninsula. QDB's package was launched as part of Doha's QR75bn financial stimulus programme and has been extended until 31 December. Guarantees have been issued to 3,500 companies so far as part of the QDB scheme. In May, the bank told companies operating in the contracting and construction sector to utilise the package. 
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Iran

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 612,772
  • Recoveries: 481,930
  • Deaths: 34,864

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 31 October: President Hassan Rouhani says all so-called third and fourth grade activities, which are mainly related to education and gatherings on various occasions, will be forbidden for the next 10 days. Restrictions already approved for 43 cities are also extended. New restrictions will be applied for 10 days in 25 provinces and 46 cities from Wednesday.
  • 24 October: Rouhani says compliance with precautionary measures is essential, adding: "Currently, there is no way to fight this virus other than observing health protocols."
  • 22 October: National Task Force for Fighting Coronavirus calls to cut number of government employees in Tehran's offices by 50 per cent until the end of the month, and imposes an additional week of strict restrictions in 43 critical status cities.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

  • 21 October: Rouhani calls on vice president and head of the Plan & Budget Organisation, Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, to fulfil all demands by local nurses "with high priority". 
  • 19 October: Rouhani says the government performs 25,000 Covid-19 tests a day and will soon fund the cost of an additional 15,000 daily tests. He added that Iran could purchase up to 20 million testing kits if required, "but in the meantime, we will buy as much as necessary".
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Egypt

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 107,555
  • Recoveries: 99,452
  • Deaths: 6,266

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 26 October: Health Ministry urges citizens to comply with precautionary measures such as social distancing to avoid a second wave of Covid-19 in Egypt, particularly as the winter season approaches.
  • 21 October: Adviser to the president on health and prevention affairs, Mohamed Awad Tag Eddin, says a second wave of Covid-19 is "highly likely" in Egypt, according to local media reports. Tag Eddin called on citizens to ensure compliance with precautionary measures and guard against confusion "between the flu and the virus, as the two share many symptoms".  

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

  • 19 October: Egyptian Doctors Syndicate is said to have disbursed £E71m to support more than 3,586 doctors infected by Covid-19 since February. Another £E5m has been distributed to support the families of doctors who passed away due to the illness. Families of 58 doctors killed by the virus have also received £E2.9m from the Medical Professions Union, and 47 families have received £E2.35m from a separate support fund for doctors. 
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Iraq

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 472,630
  • Recoveries: 399,655
  • Deaths: 10,910

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 25 September: Flights to Iran will be suspended for 15 days over coronavirus concerns. The decision includes "all direct flights from local airports to the airports of the Islamic Republic of Iran, after the announcement of detecting coronavirus cases in some Iranian areas", authorities said.
  • 5 September: Health ministry warns it may "lose control" of the pandemic if people do not comply with precautionary measures. 

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

  • 26 October: Isolation ward developed in partnership between the Karbala Governorate and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iraq opens. Constructed by UNDP and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (Usaid), the 20-bed ward is part of the Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital in Karbala and will serve a catchment area of approximately one million people.
  • 22 October: White Paper for Economic Reforms prepared by the Crisis Cell for Financial & Fiscal Reform is formally approved by Baghdad. Covid-19 is listed among the factors causing Iraq's economic decline, and the white paper includes proposals to boost the economy over the medium and long term.
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Jordan

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 72,607
  • Recoveries: 7,600
  • Deaths: 829

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 31 October: Government says proposals circulated on social media about tighter restrictions to deal with the pandemic are "a hypothetical scenario" being mulled by the Covid-19 crisis cell. The government reiterated that it would continue enforcing the current measures, including the comprehensive one-day a week lockdown on Friday and the daily curfew between 10pm to 6am for shops and businesses, and for individuals from 11 pm to 6am.
  • 22 October: Defence orders issued to curb the spread of the virus, including a total curfew on Fridays, when midday prayers will be permitted for one hour. On weekdays, movement of people will be prohibited from 11pm to 6am and commercial establishments will be closed from 10pm to 6am. Fines for individual offense repeaters have been set at JD500, and for entities that violate repeatedly, up to JD2,000 with 14 days of closure. 
  • 21 October: Minister of Health, Nazir Obeidat, says an ad-hoc committee will be formed to assess Jordan's epidemiological situation and future Covid-19 scenarios. The committee, comprising eight members, will be headed by former health minister Sa'ad Kharabsheh.
  • 20 October: Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh says a comprehensive curfew will be imposed on Fridays until 31 December 2020. Partial night-time curfew hours will be extended and businesses will be allowed to operate until 10pm. Public movement will be permitted from 6am to 11pm, and schools, universities, cultural centres and vocational training institutes will continue with remote learning until the end of the first semester. Defence orders will be issued in the coming days with regard to restaurant operations and the number of people that are allowed to be present during their working hours from 6am to 10pm, at 50 per cent of their capacity, not exceeding six people at one table. Penalties stipulated in previous defence orders will be reactivated.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

  • 25 October: Royal Medical Services issues instructions to raise the capacity of military hospitals, including Prince Hashem hospital in Zarqa and Prince Rashid hospital in Irbid. Separately, Jordan Society for Scientific Research, Entrepreneurship & Creativity says it will host an international conference on 31 October to discuss the impact of the pandemic on the Jordanian economy and opportunities for growth and recovery.
  • 24 October: Land border crossings including Al-Mudawara border crossing, King Hussein Bridge, and Sheikh Hussein Bridge (the northern crossing) will reopen for travellers.
  • 23 October: Obeidat says 300 hospital beds have been added across Jordan as part of government efforts to curb Covid-19. 
  • 21 October: Jordan Labour Watch urges government to review its decision to close nurseries and kindergartens, adding that the decision could risk forcing women to leave the labour market. The watchdog instead proposed tighter curbs to cut infection rates and resume employment to incentivise women to continue engaging in the labour market and raising personal incomes.
  • 20 October: Khasawneh says Education Minister Tayseer al-Nuaimi has reached a consensus with a majority of local private schools to lower tuition fees by 15 per cent.
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Lebanon

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 81,228
  • Recoveries: 41,624
  • Deaths: 637

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 11 October: Interior Ministry shuts bars and nightclubs until further notice and enforces local lockdowns on 169 villages and districts across the country, up from 111 earlier this month. The ministry also underscored the importance of complying with the 1am to 6am curfew and the use of masks.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

  • 30 October: Caretaker Minister of Public Health, Hamad Hassan, discusses implementation of a twinning programme that was previously launched between 11 government hospitals and five private university hospitals, as part of which the latter will train the medical and nursing intensive care staff of government hospitals to treat Covid-19 patients. Under this programme, the World Health Organisation will provide support to government hospitals by purchasing services with specific contracts within a time limit to provide the existing departments with qualified human cadres, provided that private university hospitals provide training in return.
  • 18 October: Member of the Democratic Gathering, MP Bilal Abdallah, says Progressive Socialist Party chief, Walid Jumblatt, has donated $100,000 to equip a new department to treat Covid-19 patients at the Siblin Governmental hospital.
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Morocco

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 219,084
  • Recoveries: 181,275
  • Deaths: 3,695

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 26 October: Minister delegate for the Interior Noureddine Boutayeb says the ministry will establish a protocol for monitoring the spread of the virus in several cities through the analysis of samples of wastewater for the search for the virus DNA to identify active outbreaks. He added that 421 hotel units and accommodation centres have been made available by local authorities, totaling 26,000 beds, for health staff, executives and state officials, as well as patients and their relatives. Separately, new curbs have been issued in Taroudant, including a ban on meetings and gatherings in all public spaces for 15 renewable days, as well as the closure of nearby sites and public gardens for the same period. Weekly markets in the towns of Taroudant and Ait Aiaaza will also be closed until 1 November.
  • 23 October: Tighter curbs announced for Greater Casablanca, which includes the Casablanca and Mohammadia prefectures and Naouceur and Mediouna provinces, as well as the Berrechid and Benslimane provinces. Measures include the prohibition of all forms of night movement between 9pm and 6am; the closing of community grounds and parks; closing restaurants, cafes, stores and large shopping centres at 8pm; the shutdown of public transportation buses and tramways at 9pm; closing local markets at 3pm; and promoting teleworking when possible. Previously announced preventive measures will also remain in force, including the closure of hammams and sports halls, and a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

  • 20 October: Ministry of Health is allocated almost MD20bn in the appropriation bill for the year 2021, to fund Rabat's Covid-19 response. The solidarity contribution fund, meanwhile, will be limited to companies with net profits exceeding MD5m, Minister of Economy, Finance & Administration Reform, Mohamed Benchaaboun, says. 
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Libya

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 61,095
  • Recoveries: 35,030
  • Deaths: 857

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19: 

  • 14 October: General manager of Benina airport in Benghazi, Abdalla al-Shafee, denies reports that the facility will commence flights to Tripoli on Friday. He reportedly added that 17 conditions need to be resolved before the airport can reopen, including the appointment of a specialised disinfection company; repairs to security machines; overdue staff payments; and the need for buses, forklifts and fuel. Airlines are also unwilling to fly at half-capacity, as required by the Libyan Anti-Coronavirus Committee, Libya Herald reported.
  • 7 September: Head of the National Centre for Disease Control, Bader al-Din al-Najjar, says health centres are under extreme pressure in Tripoli, calling for citizens to comply with precautionary measures and help curb the virus. 

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

  • 23 October: State-held National Oil Corporation (NOC) announces lifting of force majeure at Sidra and Ras Lanuf ports, adding instructions have been given to initiate production arrangements.
  • 11 October: NOC lifts force majeure on the Sharara oilfield, which can pump as much as 300,000 barrels a day.
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Tunisia

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 59,813
  • Recoveries: 5,032
  • Deaths: 1,317

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 31 October: Only French nationals and Tunisian expats are allowed to travel through the Goulette port to Marseille as of 3 November, in compliance with the decision announced the previous day by French authorities, the Tunisian Navigation Company says. 
  • 30 October: Ministry of Youth, Sports and Professional Integration extends the suspension of official matches in all disciplines until 15 November.
  • 26 October: Cafés and restaurants in the governorate of Siliana will be allowed to work at a capacity not exceeding 30 per cent in closed spaces and 50 per cent in open spaces, said president of the Regional Commission for Disaster Control and Relief Organiastion and governor of Siliana, Abdezzazek Dkhil. Also among the decisions taken in the region was the closure of a Dräxlmaier Group factory from 23 to 26 October to break the chain of Covid-19 infections, in the factory which employs 3,000 people, following its registration of 45 confirmed cases.
  • 25 October: Curfew in Sousse re-extended until 4 November as case numbers continue to grow.
  • 24 October: The Scientific Committee on Fight against Coronavirus could propose a lockdown on the movement of people aged 65 and over, said committee member Habib Ghedira. This measure is part of a package of recommendations are being considered to curb the spike in cases. Other recommendations include restrictions on domestic travel and the mandatory compliance with health protocols in private and public spaces. Hospitals, Ghedira added, will reach saturation if cases continue to surge.
  • 21 October: Kasserine health director Abdelghani Chaabani says a mobile military lab may be established to conduct up to 400 tests a day on people with severe Covid-19 systems. Kasserine has reported 482 cases since the start of the pandemic.
  • 20 October: A hall at a sports facility within the Kasserine province will be turned into a 40-bed field hospital fitted out with oxygen units and heating pipes to reduce burden on hospitals, said First Delegate Atef Massi.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

  • 30 October: A government decree defining the exceptional measures relating to calls for tender for the Ministries of Defence and Health linked to Covid-19 is published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Tunisia. According to this decree, the Ministries of Defence and Health and the institutions under their authority may conclude public contracts relating to the fight against the coronavirus through direct negotiations with one or more suppliers selected on the basis of their competence and their ability to respond to requests within the specified deadlines, to avoid the lengthy procedures governing public contracts. The decree also allows the Ministries of Defence and Health and their institutions to acquire equipment, materials, medicines and medical supplies and to provide them with services according to the choice of the public purchaser through the organisation of an "extended consultation" of suppliers authorised to participate in the consultation phase by submitting technical and financial offers within a maximum period of 10 days.
  • 27 October: House of People's Representatives passes draft law approving the decree-law dated 10 June on the adoption of a loan agreement signed between Tunisia and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The loan aims to finance the programme to support the response to Covid-19 through social inclusion and employment. The $212m loan agreement signed on 4 June is part of the Rapid Response Facility to Covid-19 approved by the AfDB on 8 April.
  • 26 October: The adoption of the supplementary finance bill in 2020 is an obligation for the government since crises such as the impact of Covid-19 were unpredictable and must be managed, said Minister of Economy, Finance and Investment Support, Ali Kooli. Speaking at a hearing session organised by the parliamentary Finance, Planning and Development Committee, he added that revenues from income tax and value-added tax declined following the drop in economic activity during the second quarter, dropping from a preliminary estimate of TD36bn to TD6-8bn.
  • 25 October: Mechichi approves reopening of Ras Jedir border crossing with Libya after discussions with the latter country about the resumption of trade exchange and the movement of people. 
  • 21 October: Minister of Economy, Finance & Investment Support, Ali Kooli, says economic contraction of 8 per cent will lead Tunisia to a revenue loss of at least TD8bn in 2020. Additional spending incurred this year will lead to a budget deficit of 14 per cent, and Kooli said Tunis will "try to redeem the situation" by reducing the deficit to 7 per cent in 2021. He added that the state plans to repay debt of about TD4.5bn to suppliers following the passage of the supplementary finance bill, adding that it is "crucial to restore the state's credibility" and honour its TD21bn salary receipts this year.
  • 20 October: United States Agency for International Development (Usaid), in partnership with micro-financing institutions Baobab and Advans, will mobilise TD86.6m ($31.5m) to support more than 13,000 Tunisian micro and small enterprises. This funding programme is particularly geared towards female-owned businesses in underserved areas of Tunisia. Baobab and Advans will provide TD78.28m ($28.5m) in working capital loans, while Usaid's Tunisia Jobs arm will allocate TD8m ($3m) in grants. The loans and grants will help micro and small enterprises retain about 17,300 jobs.
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Algeria

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 57,942
  • Recoveries: 40,201
  • Deaths: 1,964

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 27 October: Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments calls on citizens "to strictly respect" the preventive measures in place to curb Covid-19 during the upcoming religious holiday. 
  • 25 October: Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad urges compliance and vigilance "after consulting the scientific committee and the health authority and assessing the health situation across the national territory". He warned of the perils of a second wave, adding: "Many countries are in the process of strengthening preventive actions and hardening restrictive measures on the mobility of people and activities likely to increase the risk of contagion."
  • 21 October: Djerad calls on parents to comply with precautions as more than 5 million students resume primary schooling. 

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

  • 25 October: Director general of the Institut Pasteur d'Alger (IPA), Fawzi Derrar, says Algeria will receive rapid antigen testing kits in the coming days, adding Algiers plans to widen and standardise access to the tests across the country by March 2021, and increasing the number of private laboratories approved to run PCR tests.
  • 19 October: Ministry of Energy plans urgent measures to mitigate the financial impact of Covid-19, including the reduction of investment budgets for national oil and gas companies, Sonatrach and Sonelgaz, respectively, with the aim of saving AD150bn. The ministry has also considered reorganising both businesses so they focus on their core operations, modernising their management systems and optimising investment costs. The ministry also plans to reduce the operating budget of both public enterprises by 17 per cent, or AD182bn. Sonatrach and Sonelgaz are estimated to have faced losses of AD10bn and AD18.7bn between September 2019 and 2020 due to energy market trends and Covid-19.
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Yemen

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 2,063
  • Recoveries: 1,366
  • Deaths: 599

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 4 May: Public areas including government buildings, markets and mosques to be sprayed with disinfectant as local authorities move to curb Covid-19.
  • 11 April: Authorities in the southeast Yemen province of Hadramout move to curb Covid-19 in the port city of Al-Sheher by imposing further measures, where the country’s first case was announced on 10 April. A curfew from 6pm to 6am has been imposed in all cities of the province. Hadramout governor, Faraj Salmen al-Bahsani, has urged residents to comply with the measures and stay indoors as much as possible.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

  • 7 October: Unicef says primary schools have reopened following months of closures. Preventive sanitary measures have been implemented and school schedules have been rearranged to avoid overcrowding.
  • 2 June: International donors pledge $1.35bn in aid for Yemen. Saudi Arabia's contribution totals $500m, with the UK offering $200m and Germany contributing $140m.
  • 18 May: Yemen’s Health Minister, Nasser Ba’aom, and Minister of Local Administration, Abdul Raqib Fatah, appeal for international aid. “We need personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies, ventilators, finance for the medical workers who work in the Covid-19 centres,” Dr Ba’aom said, according to UAE newspaper the National. “We also need medical equipment such as a complete biological units, testing kits, field hospitals and beds for the ICUs. Additionally, we still need food aid, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene.”
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.
Syria

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

  • Total confirmed cases: 5,728
  • Recoveries: 1,976
  • Deaths: 288

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

  • 21 October: Ministry of Health launches campaign to distribute protective clothing and run more frequent Covid-19 testing for healthcare workers as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus. Influenza test kits will also be provided and healthcare workers in direct contact with Covid-19 patients will be tested for antibodies.
  • 16 August: Ministry of Interior set to issue new regulations for travellers to and from Lebanon. Those entering Syria from Lebanon must present Covid-19 negative test results taken 96 hours prior to their arrival. The decision applies to truck drivers, diplomatic passport holders and aid workers, among other groups. Lebanon-bound passengers from Syria must present test results taken 24 hours prior to their flight. 

Financial measures to minimise the economic crisis:

  • 24 October: Syria receives medical assistance from the World Health Organisation. The shipment, which arrived at Damascus International airport, includes personal protection equipment for health workers, medicines and medical supplies.
  • 21 October: President Bashar al-Assad issues decree approving an exemption on income tax amid tightening economic conditions. The decree covers all public and private sector workers. It exempts those earning £Syr50,000 ($40) or less a month from paying income tax and reduces the level of taxes paid in the lowest income bracket. Exemptions were previously offered for those earning less than £Syr15,000, according to a decree in 2015. Minister of Finance, Kinan Yaghi, said the authority had also secured resources to disburse grants to citizens, and has called on banks not to charge fees until these grants have been issued. 
  • 1 October: Flights out of Damascus International airport resume after six months of closures. Syrian Airlines will fly from Damascus International airport to regional locations, including Cairo and Beirut, and resume a weekly flight to Khartoum, Sudan. It will also schedule ad-hoc flights to Kuwait.
As of 09.30 GST, 1 November 2020. Click here for Covid-19 updates in Mena during September 2020.

A MEED Subscription...

Subscribe or upgrade your current MEED.com package to support your strategic planning with the MENA region’s best source of business information. Proceed to our online shop below to find out more about the features in each package.