Saudi Arabia               

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 322,237
• Recoveries: 298,246
• Deaths: 4,137

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 1 September: Future Investment Initiative conference, scheduled for 28-29 October 2020, is deferred till 26-28 January 2021. 
• 22 August: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development defines health precautions for public sector employees to return to office work from 30 August. Remote working may be approved for employees if the number working outside the office does not exceed 25 per cent of the total workforce. 
• 3 August: Pilgrims returning from Hajj must quarantine for 14 days and will be monitored using electronic bands to ensure compliance. 

 Measures to minimise the economic crisis:   

• 7 September: Saudi General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) extends validity of re-entry visas for expats stranded abroad until 30 September. No fee will be charged for the month-long extension, which includes expats that are in the kingdom but whose entry/exit visas expired due to travel restrictions around Covid-19. 
• 24 August: Jawazat opens four land border crossings into the kingdom for families. Citizens, their non-Saudi families (spouses and children), plus drivers and domestic help are allowed in through the Al-Khafji, Al-Rakii, the King Fahd Causeway bridge and Al-Bathaa entry points. Non-Saudi companions must show negative PCR test results taken within 48 hours of travel. All travellers are required to isolate upon arrival.
• 18 August: Saudi Food & Drug Authority to host emergency meeting of food regulatory authorities as part of the international conferences to be held during the kingdom's presidency of the G20. The meeting aims to develop ways to drive global cooperation in the field of food legislation to ensure food safety during Covid-19, and address the challenges that countries face in tackling the coronavirus. The meeting will be attended by officials from food safety authorities in several countries, along with the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Food and Agriculture Organisation and the International Food Safety Authorities Network.
• 15 August: Saudi Arabian schools to resume with distance learning for the first seven weeks, following which the situation will be reviewed. The new academic year is due to begin on 30 August. Exceptions will be made for university and technical school students with practical curriculums who are required to attend courses in person.

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 75,098
• Recoveries: 66,943
• Deaths: 391

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 8 September: Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Team in Sharjah and the Sharjah Private Education Authority extend remote learning for all levels in private schools in the emirate for another two weeks from 13 September. 
• 7 September: UAE cabinet, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approves National Policy on Vaccinations.
• 1 September: Ministry of Education and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority revert some schools to online learning after suspected Covid-19 cases were detected during tests conducted prior to physical classes.
• 25 August: Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee and Department of Health approve two tests to enter the emirate. The new measures will become effective 27 August, and will allow entry into Abu Dhabi within 48 hours from receiving a negative PCR test result or a negative DPI laser test result, provided it is supplemented with a negative PCR test result received within 6 days prior to entry. The same type of test cannot be taken twice in a row within 6 days.
• 19 August: G42 Healthcare, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Group 42, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Israel's Nanoscent to develop Scent Check, which can detect suspected Covid-19 cases from a sample of exhaled nasal air. 

Measures to minimise the economic crisis:   

• 7 September: Abu Dhabi-based flag carrier Etihad Airways introduces global Covid-19 health insurance. The insurance will cover up to $177,130 of medical costs and $118 of quarantine costs per day for 14 days. All Etihad tickets regardless of date of booking, traveling between now and 31 December, will include the Covid-19 insurance, which is valid worldwide for 31 days from the first day of travel. Etihad has partnered with French insurance company Axa for the scheme.
• 5 September: Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid al-Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, issues Emiri Decree No. 11 for 2020 for package to support Ajman’s local transport sector. The package includes a 5 per cent discount on Ajman Transport Authority's franchise bill during the period between 1 October and 31 December if paid in full within 30 days from the bill date, and by 3 per cent if paid within the next 30 days. Abu Dhabi Judicial Academy assesses impact of Covid-19 on contractual obligations and anti-money laundering.

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 56,778
• Recoveries: 51,574
• Deaths: 202

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 8 September: Bahrain's education and health ministries launch campaign to conduct Covid-19 tests for all public school administrators, teachers and technicians at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Conference Centre ahead of resumption of new academic year on 20 September.
• 6 September: Ministry of Education prepares guidelines for public and private educational institutions on the safe return to in-person classes. The guidelines detail health precautions, safety procedures, and contingency plans in light of Covid-19, and cover aspects related to transportation, sanitisation, minimum social distance requirements and student classroom 'bubbles'. The guidelines also cover learning requirements related to curricula, assessment and blended learning scenarios.  
• 6 September: Re-opening of public schools has been postponed by two weeks in order to test all administrative, technical and teaching staff for Covid-19. Public schools were scheduled to re-open for administrative, technical and teaching staff on 6 September, but following the postponement decision, they will start the new academic year on 20 September. The Ministry of Education said there are no changes to the opening of private schools.
• 1 September: Labour and Social Development Minister, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, issues circular to all training institutions stipulating the basic precautionary requirements that training facilities must meet when they resume work. The temperatures of all employees, training staff, and the trainees shall be measured on a daily basis, and those whose temperature exceeds 37.5°C will not be allowed in. The precautionary measures also include sterilising all common tools and facilities before and after use, ensuring social distancing, and limiting the number of trainees to 10 persons per class, providing face masks and preventing snacks and drinks to the trainees while they are at the facility. The circular also encouraged the continuation of virtual training where possible.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis:  

• 5 September: Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs resumes on-arrival visa for nationals of 68 countries at Bahrain's ports.
• 3 September: Percentage of workers working in the office at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development increased from 6 September. Rehabilitation, training and social care centre staff and employment services staff capacity increased to 77 per cent and 70 per cent respectively, while all labour inspection and labour dispute settlement workers can return.

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 91,244
• Recoveries: 81,654
• Deaths: 548

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 6 September: Ministry of Education issues decree to regulate private French, Indian, Pakistani and other curriculum schools during the 2020/21 academic year in light of Covid-19. The decree also specifies the mechanism of collecting tuition fees in three installments, the first of which will be 40 per cent of the total fees, and the remaining two 30 per cent each at British, American, bilingual and French foreign schools. Fees in schools with other foreign educational systems are to be collected in two installments.
• 3 September: New precautions announced for Terminal 4 of Kuwait International airport. Only 60 people will be allowed to be present at the same time in the arrivals' hall. Entry into the terminal to receive passengers will be allowed only one hour ahead of scheduled flight arrival.
• 23 August: Arrivals from Afghanistan temporarily banned. Passengers arriving at Kuwait International airport must present PCR test results valid for 96 hours instead of 72 hours. 
• 10 August: Kuwait Municipality says 10 stores were closed in Hawally for violating Covid-19 precautions last month, while 23 fines and 2,405 warnings were issued to stores flouting safety measures.
• 3 August: Kuwait Municipality closes 46 shops over Eid al-Adha holidays for breaching precautionary health guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
• 1 August: Commercial flights to 31 countries deemed high-risk banned until further notice. The countries include India, Pakistan, Egypt, the Philippines, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, China, Iran, Brazil, Mexico, Italy and Iraq. Egypt Air is also halting flights to the country.
• 26 July: Free Covid-19 tests to be offered at government hospitals for citizens and expatriates. 

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

• 31 August: Cabinet discusses draft law encouraging local banks to offer finance to clients impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Newly restructured board of Kuwait Airways, chaired by Ali al-Dukhan, holds meeting to discuss future plans in light of the pandemic's impact on air travel.
• 26 August: Ministry of Interior to extend expired residency and visit visas for an additional three months from 1 September for individuals inside Kuwait. The extensions come as travel restrictions continue to be imposed in several parts of the world.
• 25 August: Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Saud al-Harbi approves remote learning for educational facilities during the coming semester. The decision applies to all public and private schools, and is subject to revision in November.
• 24 August: Government team led by Sheikh Mishaal Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah mandated to scrutinise the impacts of Covid-19 on the state's financial revenues as part of wider effort to rectify economic imbalances. 
• 18 August: Phase 4 economic activities reopen, including beauty salons, tailoring shops, gyms and restaurants. Gyms must ensure they sanitise equipment frequently, and all citizens and expatriates must adhere to mask usage requirements while outdoors. Partial curfew from 9pm-3am remains in place, state news agency Kuna says.

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 87,590
• Recoveries: 82,973
• Deaths: 742

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 3 September: Health minister warns companies and urges compliance with precautionary measures, failing which fines or closures may be imposed. 
• 1 September: Supreme commitee for Covid-19 urges continued compliance with precautionary measures, warning that the occupancy rate in hospitals, particularly in ICUs, is still very high.
• 16 August: Phase 2 of the national investigative survey on Covid-19 in the sultanate begins. The 10-week study will be conducted in four stages, each lasting five days, with intervals of two weeks between the sessions. 
• 12 August: Oman Society for Petroleum Services signs memorandum of understanding with Tabreed Oman to fund Covid-19 tests. 
• 5 August: Lockdown to end on 8 August as scheduled. Night-time movement ban from 9pm-5am confirmed for 8-15 August. Dhofar governorate to remain in lockdown until further notice.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

• 7 September: Supreme committee to manage Covid-19 says international flights will resume on 1 October, and approves general framework to resume new academic year in the country. 
• 1 September: Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Saidi, Minister of Health, issues Ministerial Decree No. 120/2020 to form a working group to provide a vaccine against Covid-19. The group will follow up global developments in the field of manufacturing and producing a coronavirus vaccine, and to set up mechanisms to obtain the appropriate vaccine in coordination, in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, the World Health Organisation and specialised companies.
• 25 August: Supreme committee for Covid-19 announces reopening of barbershops and salons after more than five months of closures. Muscat Municipality says some salon services will continue to be suspended, however, as will parties and social gatherings, local newspaper Times of Oman reports. Restaurants, gyms and conference rooms inside hotels are also allowed to reopen under the sixth phase of Oman's economic resumption programme. People below the age of 12 and over the age of 60 are not allowed inside certain premises, and wearing masks is mandatory. Two metres of safe distance must be maintained, restaurants must use disposable cutlery and electronic payments are being encouraged.

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 120,579
• Recoveries: 117,497
• Deaths: 205

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 26 August: Teaching and administrative staff will be tested for Covid-19 prior to the beginning of the new academic year. E-schooling will be adopted for the 2020/21 academic year, which starts on 1 September, with the education ministry specifying system requirements for students' devices. 
• 19 August: Ministry of Education and Higher Education changes three-phase plan to resume 2020/21 academic year. The new plan will apply blended learning during the first semester of the next academic year based on feedback from the Ministry of Public Health. The move aims to mitigate the academic impact of school closures and delayed academic year resumption on students. Schools may fill up to 30 per cent of their capacity and must observe social distancing. University students will attend classes at 30 per cent capacity daily between September to November. 

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

• 4 September: Ministry of Interior allows sea vessels to operate at 30 per cent of maximum capacity, including crew members. The decision, in line with the fourth phase of easing restrictions, covers personal and rental boards, yachts, daily cruising boats and jets. Water scooters are also permitted for individual use. 
• 31 August: Qatar Rail says Doha Metro to resume services from 1 September at 30 per cent capacity under phase 4 economic resumption plan. Travellers are required to show their health status on the government's Ehteraz app, and access will be denied for those whose body temperature is under 37.8°C. Masks are mandatory, and children under the age of 12 years cannot travel unaccompanied as yet. Ministry of Commerce and Industry issues guidelines for cleaning and hospitality industry staff, mandating the use of masks and gloves while they are working.
• 30 August: Spa activities, massage services and indoor swimming pools to resume from 15 September with reduced capacity, Ministry of Commerce and Industry says. Occupancy rate of men's hairdressing salons and women's beauty centres raised to 50 per cent of normal capacity, and spa activities, massage services, jacuzzi, Moroccan and Turkish bath services, and indoor swimming pools with 30 per cent of normal capacity in hotels.

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 391,112
• Recoveries: 337,414
• Deaths: 22,542

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 1 September: Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan says Iranians must travel responsibly to curb the spread of the virus.
• 22 August: President Hassan Rouhani warns of third wave of Covid-19 if health precautions are not abided by.
• 18 August: National Library & Archives of Iran in Tehran closed until further notice to curb the spread of Covid-19. The library had reopened in June after it was first closed in February. 

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

• 5 September: Schools reopen after seven months of closures. 
• 1 September: President Hassan Rouhani says next year's budget will take the impact of Covid-19 and other economic shocks into consideration, adding: "Although the economic shocks caused by sanctions and the spread of coronavirus in some areas have damaged the country's economy, the government has made every effort to maintain the atmosphere of development and prosperity in production and business as much as possible."
• 31 August: Tour guide card validity extended until 20 March 2021 to reduce in-person visits for renewals and boost the local tourism sector. Rail companies eligible under the government's $223.8m low-interest liquidity injection programme to combat Covid-19's economic impact will receive their dues from early-September.
• 30 August: Rouhani calls to ramp up availability and wellbeing of healthcare professionals: "Considering the spread of the second wave of the outbreak of Covid-19, the Ministry of Health should take the necessary measures to prevent burnout and exhaustion of the country's medical staff and, if necessary, take necessary measures to train new staff and replace them more quickly."
• 27 August: Rouhani says the government is working on an economic roadmap for the country, adding: "The government's goal is to implement the economic roadmap to repair the damages caused by the unprecedented sanctions and the outbreak of coronavirus."

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 100,228
• Recoveries: 79,886
• Deaths: 5,560

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 31 August: Civil aviation authority says passengers arriving at Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam and Taba airports can go through Covid-19 PCR tests for $30 at the airports. The decision comes as Egypt begins to enforce a rule requiring negative Covid-19 results, received 72 hours or less prior to arrival, from 1 September. Heritage and tourism sites in the Luxor and Aswan governorates are also due to reopen for international visitors on 1 September.
• 26 August: Health Minister Hala Zayed warns of second wave of Covid-19 due to lax behaviour of some citizens, such as failing to wear masks.
• 23 August: Health Ministry creates different routes and areas within hospitals for Covid-19 patients. Health Minister Hala Zayed says the Arab country has passed its first wave of Covid-19. 

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

• 6 September: Civil aviation authority approves Russian request to resume flights between Cairo and Moscow starting mid-September, after six months of suspension due to the pandemic.  
• 1 September: President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi urges precautionary measures are implemented as archaeological sites reopen in Egypt and schools prepare to reopen in October.
• 26 August: Cooperation agreement to be signed with Chinese company for Covid-19 vaccine in September. Egyptian Holding Company for Biopharmaceuticals and Vacsera will represent Egypt in the agreement.
• 22 August: Tourism ministry says archaeological sites will reopen on 1 September. 

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 269,578
• Recoveries: 206,324
• Deaths: 7,657

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 5 September: Health ministry warns it may 'lose control' of the pandemic if people do not comply with precautionary measures. 
• 16 August: Higher Committee for National Health & Safety amends the partial curfew to 10pm-5am daily and bans all travellers from entering Iraq for tourism.
• 9 August: Deputy Minister of Health, Hazim al-Jumaili, says Iraq has yet to hit its peak of Covid-19 infections: "The daily coronavirus infections are still registering large numbers [and sometimes] exceeding 3,000, and this indicates that the citizens are not abiding by the instructions of the Health Ministry and the High Committee for Health & National Safety." Health restrictions to be observed during Muharram will be discussed at the end of this week. 

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

• 8 September: Higher Committee for Health and National Safety approves resumption of youth activities, reopening land borders for trade, allowing public offices to work at 50 per cent capacity and reopen restaurants and event spaces in five-star hotels.
• 1 September: Ministry of Health imports drugs approved by World Health Organisation to treat Covid-19 but urges vigilance even as new infection rate slows compared to rate of recovery.
• 5 August: Al-Jumaili says return to normal life "is not on the table at the moment, but the Higher Committee for Health & National Safety, headed by Prime Minister Al-Kadhimi, will review the situation.
• 16 July: Airports will be allowed to open on 23 July and malls are to reopen soon provided they adhere to social distancing guidelines and health precautions. Lockdown hours will be reduced and will be in effect from 9pm-5am, and the total curfew will be revised after the Eid al-Adha holiday. Al-Mundhiriyah, Safwan and Al-Shaib border crossings are to reopen for trade and commercial exchange, Iraq's Higher Committee for Health & Public Safety says. 

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 2,581
• Recoveries: 1,885
• Deaths: 19

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 8 September: Government says it will not impose a blanket curfew this weekend, and instead focus on tighter control. Wedding parties, funerals and activities where there are gatherings will be placed under tighter scrutiny. During curfew hours, shops will be required to close at 12am, with curfew hours to begin from 1am. Ghor as-Safi area in the southern governorate of Karak placed under lockdown until further notice. The lockdown includes closing places of worship, public markets, schools and gathering areas, and imposing a curfew from 8pm until 6am. Separately, institutional quarantine procedures in force for arrivals at airports will also apply to drivers coming at land border crossings as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, Land Transport Regulatory Authority Director general Salah Lozi says.
• 2 September: Amman and Zarqa to undergo complete curfew on 4 September, with only essential workers to be exempted from the outdoor movement ban.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

• 8 September: Commercial flights resume to and from Queen Alia International airport six months after closures. Jordan has divided inbound arrivals into green, yellow and red countries. All travellers must provide proof that they had been a resident in the departing country for at least 14 days, as well as a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. Green country arrivals must take a second PCR test at the airport and await a negative test result to enter Jordan, while those from yellow countries must be tested and escorted to a mandatory seven-day quarantine at their expense. Arrivals from countries with a high prevalence of Covid-19, coloured red, must enter the government-organised quarantine, and then enter self-isolation at home for a further week, during which they will be required to wear an electronic bracelet.
• 6 September: Truck drivers exempted from paying JD10 entry fee at Omari border with Saudi Arabia as part of measures to ease financial burden and ensure they comply with quarantine measures. 
• 4 September: Labour Minister Nidal al-Batayneh says government will issue new circular for wage regulation during the month of September. 
• 2 September: Queen Alia International airport to reopen on 8 September. Travellers from 'green' countries will be required to present negative PCR test results, and have spent 14 days at their port of departure, prior to the flight. They must also take a second PCR test upon arrival in Jordan, and self-quarantine even if their result is negative. 
• 1 September: Prime Minister Omar Razzaz calls for greater compliance with precautionary measures at border crossings with Syria and Saudi Arabia, adding that truck drivers coming from abroad must be in minimal contact with border officials to reduce the risk of infection.

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 21,324
• Recoveries: 6,722
• Deaths: 207

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 8 September: Syndicate of Restaurant, Café, Cabaret and Patisserie Owners in Lebanon urges food and beverage institutions to comply with precautionary measures or face risk of "returning to square one and complete closures".
• 26 August: General mobilisation extended until 31 December to curb Covid-19. Caretaker PM Hassan Diab says the public mobilisation drive is necessary "to protect people from a dangerous and frightening situation with its consequences".
• 18 August: New lockdown and overnight curfew to be imposed for two weeks from 21 August. The curfew will last from 6pm-6am, and malls will be closed. Restaurants will be restricted to delivery services, and social gatherings will be banned. Beirut airport will operate normally and ministries will be staffed at half capacity. Areas where recovery work is under way following the Port of Beirut blasts are exempted from new restrictions. 

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

• 8 September: Caretaker Interior Minister Mohamed Fahmi relaxes coronavirus precautions after end of two-week curfew on Monday. The curfew will now last from 6am to 1pm. For the first time since a coronavirus lockdown was implemented in March, cinemas will be allowed to reopen, local newspaper the Daily Star reports. Nightclubs, social event halls, markets and Casino du Liban will also be permitted to reopen.
• 26 August: President Michel Aoun says reopening restaurants is vital for tourism and services revenues, but public health priorities will dictate when the sector may reopen. Aoun's statement comes after AFP reported Lebanese restaurant owners stating they would reopen their facilities in defiance of lockdown measures implemented since last week.
• 19 August: UK sends 238,530 pieces of personal protective equipment to help "overstretched hospitals" in Beirut deal with Covid-19 patients, state news agency NNA reports. The World Health Organisation will distribute the face masks, overalls, gloves, goggles and gowns to hospitals across the city. 

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 75,721
• Recoveries: 57,239
• Deaths: 1,427

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 8 September: Regional Academy of Education and Training of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab announces distance learning for 15 days in all public and private schools under the provincial directorates of National Education of Oued Eddahab and Aousserd for the school year 2020/21. 
• 7 September: Family visits to penitentiary institutions suspended from 8 September until health conditions improve. Remote education to be implemented in phases or cycles for public and private schools in Marrakech. Morocco's education ministry said earlier this week that remote education would be mandated for schools located in Covid-19 hotspots, and for students that have a confirmed Covid-19 patient at home.
• 6 September: Restrictions introduced in Casablanca for 14 days from 7 September. Schools are to be closed, with local markets, cafes and shops, and restaurants required to close at 3pm, 8pm and 9pm respectively. Night-time movement is banned between 10pm and 5am.
• 4 September: Provincial Coordination Post, in charge of managing the Covid-19 pandemic, decides to ban all travel to and from the cities of Khénifra and M'rirt, except for people with an exceptional travel authorisation, from 6 September. Public transport is suspended, and it is decided to close cafes and restaurants in both two cities at 10pm, to prohibit all access to green areas and public spaces beyond 10pm, and to close the weekly Ahtab souk in the city of Khenifra as well as the cattle souks of the two cities. It was also decided to ban all commercial activity other than the sale of vegetables and fruits in the weekly souk of M'rirt in addition to the closure of markets and shops at 5pm and ban the broadcast of football matches in cafes for both cities.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

• 1 September: Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research says vocational training season will begin on 12 October and that the final vocational training exams for second-year trainees at the Specialised Technician, Technician and Qualification levels, initially postponed, will be held from 15 to 18 September. The Office of Vocational Training and Labor Promotion will schedule examinations for qualification levels in a single year and of specialization in the month of November 2020, in addition to the continuation of revision courses remotely from 7 September. 
• 1 September: Minister of Economy, Finance and Administration Reform Mohamed Benchaâboun signs three guarantee agreements relating to loans granted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the National Airports Office (ONDA), the National Highways Company (ADM) and the National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE). The loans are worth MD3.2bn ($357m) and aim to support the public sector entities cope with the impact of Covid-19.

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 19,583
• Recoveries: 2,247
• Deaths: 314

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19: 

• 7 September: Head of the National Center 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. 
• 26 August: Four-day curfew, starting at 6pm, imposed from 26 August. This will be followed by a 10-day 9pm-6am curfew, with Fridays and Saturdays set for 24-hour curfews. Social events are banned and public transport and market services remain suspended. Public work capacity limited to 30 per cent after the total curfew ends, local media reports. 
• 11 August: Government of National Accord's (GNA) education minister-designate, Mihammed Emmari, says plan to resume schools and universities will be announced shortly. Previous plans to resume school activity on 8 August were cancelled based on medical advice, and online learning was expected to continue until secondary school exams ended in October.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

• 30 August: Land, sea and air borders reopen in Eastern Libya, based on advice from the Anti-Coronavirus Advisory Committee. A monthly list will be prepared to classify countries into 'red' and 'green' categories based on which epidemiological precautions will be exercised. Negative Covid-19 test results, acquired less than 48 hours prior to arrival, are required for entry, Libya Herald reports. 
• 26 August: Primary schools said to reopen on 12 September, while secondary classes will resume from 29 August. Final exams for secondary school students have been planned for 3-15 October.

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 5,417
• Recoveries: 1,862
• Deaths: 96

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 8 September: Mobile military microbiology laboratory  set up in the governorate of Kébili, southern Tunisia.
• 2 September: Director general of the National Observatory of New and Emerging Diseases, Nissaf Ben Alaya, says schools will be shut down if multiple Covid-19 infections are detected.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

• 2 September: Independent technical committee comprising members of various ministries assigned to check operational readiness of private RT-PCR testing centres. Health ministry to launch online portal to book Covid-19 tests.
• 1 September: Prime Minister-designate, Hichem Mechichi, pledges to continue supporting institutions impacted by Covid-19. Separately, a partnership agreement aimed to combat issues related to Covid-19 and its impact on the tourism and hotels sector was signed by Tunisia JOBS and the local Edhiafa Association. The agreement will provide the Edhiafa Association with the means to support the business resilience of small and boutique Tunisian hotels during and after the pandemic. Tunisia JOBS with support from America's USAID following protests in the Arab country in 2011.

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 46,938
• Recoveries: 33,183
• Deaths: 1,571

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 7 September: Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad says date to reopen schools in Algeria has not been set, and will depend on data about the pandemic: "We do not want to take any risk for our children and their parents at this point."
• 31 August: Curfew renewed in the Boumerdes, Bouira, Relizane, Médéa, Blida, Tipaza, Algiers, Oran, Annaba and Bejaia provinces. The curfew takes effect from 1 September for a period of 30 days, and prohibits movement from 11pm to 6am. This curfew has also been imposed on the Tebessa, Illizi, El Tarf, Ain Defla, Tlemcen, Tizi-Ouzou, Tindouf and Jijel provinces, where the epidemiological situation has worsened. Public and private transport remains barred during the weekends in these provinces. Family gatherings and weddings remain banned.

Measures to minimise the economic crisis: 

• 2 September: Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad chairs government meeting to discuss implementation of economic recovery plan, which includes measures to roll out by end-2020, in 2021 and over 2022/24. 
• 31 August: Ban on cultural activities such as museums and libraries lifted as part of plans to partially lift the national curfew. Nurseries may reopen at 50 per cent capacity, but ACs are prohibited. Curfew lifted in the Souk Ahras, Tissemsilt, Djelfa, Mascara, Oum el-Bouaghi, Batna, Biskra, Khenchela, M'sila, Chlef, Sidi Bel Abbes, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Ouargla, Bechar, Constantine, Sétif, Adrar, Laghouat and El-Oued provinces. Sports ministry authorities mull gradual resumption of activities, and exceptional paid leave granted to women that are pregnant or raising children aged below 14 years is lifted. 
• 27 August: Government endorses draft executive decree allowing the maintenance of interest rate subsidies on loans granted by banks and financial institutions in favour of companies and individuals in difficulty because of the coronavirus pandemic. Minister of Finance also informs government of a draft presidential decree setting out the specific measures to adapt public procurement procedures to contend with the pandemic's impact. 

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 1,994
• Recoveries: 1,203
• Deaths: 576

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–6am has been imposed in all cities of the province, and 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: 

• 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 intensive care units. Additionally, we still need food aid, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene.”

Covid-19 pandemic latest:

• Total confirmed cases: 3,289
• Recoveries: 760
• Deaths: 140

Actions to slow the spread of Covid-19:

• 16 August: Ministry of Interior said 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. 
• 10 August: First case of Covid-19 among residents of Al-Hol camp causes concern among relief workers. As many as 43,000 children will be impacted by an outbreak in the camp, Save the Children warns.
• 5 August: Only critical staff, with personal protective equipment (PPE), are allowed to operate inside Al-Hol internally displaced people's camp in Al-Hasakah governorate as cases mount in the country, including in the healthcare sector. 

Financial measures to minimise the economic crisis:

• 24 June: Syrian health ministry receives new batch of medical aid from China, including testing kits, protective suits, face masks, goggles and infrared thermometers.
• 25 May: Damascus eases lockdown restrictions to support economic growth, but repatriation flights put on hold as recently returned Syrians are treated.
• 3 May: President Bashar Al Assad says Syria could face a "real catastrophe" if Covid-19 cases grow.