Corona is far from over. Although the number of infections in the Arab region is increasing significantly, many countries are loosening their restrictions there - too soon, the Robert Koch Institute suspects.
Cairo / Riyadh (dpa) - After the extensive standstill of public life due to the corona pandemic, several countries in the Arab region are gradually returning to everyday life.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, among others, announced that restrictions would be eased in order to slowly revive the economy and tourism - despite the increasing number of infections in many places.
In Egypt - with 100 million inhabitants the most populous country in North Africa - according to official information, more than 32,600 people have been infected with Sars-CoV-2. A week ago, with over 1,500 new infections, the country had seen the highest increase in one day since the pandemic started. The number of hospitals treating corona patients has increased to around 370 nationwide.
At the same time, the government in Cairo is preparing the population for a return to normal. Under certain conditions, restaurants and cafés will soon be able to receive guests again. The curfew at night has also been shortened. At the same time there are talks about letting foreign tourists back into the country. The tourism sector accounts for around 12 percent of Egypt's gross domestic product (GDP). Dozens of hotels have been allowed to receive local tourists for a few days now, with half occupancy.
The Persian Gulf states are also loosening their restrictions. Domestic flights and train journeys have been permitted in Saudi Arabia again for about a week. Shopping centers, restaurants and cafes are also regularly open. Up to 50 people can meet again. Although beauty salons, hairdressers, sports facilities and cinemas remain closed, daily life across the country - with the exception of Mecca - is set to continue unrestrictedly from June 21.
"The easing comes quite early," said the Center for International Health Protection of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on request. The number of cases in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula is currently particularly high. Worldwide, the highest case density per 100,000 inhabitants is currently to be reported in the region. The reason could also be premature loosening, said the RKI.
Saudi Arabia is particularly badly affected in the region. On Saturday, the desert state reported more than 3,100 new infections, the highest increase in one day since the crisis began. Overall, more than 98,800 people have been infected in the country. A further curfew was imposed on the city of Jeddah from Saturday, mosques and restaurants have to close there for two weeks.
In the Emirates, among other things, restaurants and shopping centers in the capital Abu Dhabi can again receive guests with little occupancy, the same applies to museums and hotel beaches. After an extensive ban on flights, the Emirates also announced the gradual resumption of international transit flights. In the country, more than 37,600 people have been infected with the corona virus.
Although infection evidence in Qatar has increased over the past week, measures have also been eased. Outdoor sports without a mouthguard are allowed again. According to official information, trade and industry are also allowed to open longer again. In May, the Qatari Minister of Health announced in a television interview that the restrictions would only be relaxed if a second wave of contagion could be avoided.
ECDC list