Saudi Arabia coronavirus cases pass 500; Emirates cancels passenger flights

Saudi Arabia reported a jump in coronavirus cases on Sunday while the United Arab Emirates pumped more money into its economy as airline Emirates moved to suspend passenger flights. Saudi Health Ministry spokesman Mohammed Abdelali said the kingdom recorded 119 new cases of the virus, raising the total number to 511, the highest to date in the Gulf Arab region.

The tally of cases in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council now stands at more than 1,700. Bahrain reported a second death from the virus on Sunday, taking the Arab Gulf's total to four. Abdelali said that 72 of the newly diagnosed people were Turkish nationals under quarantine in the holy city of Mecca after interacting with an infected compatriot.

"We are starting to see more cases linked to interactions... We advise everyone to stay home," he told a news conference, adding that more than 4,000 people are under quarantine. The region has expanded measures to combat the spread of the disease. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have taken some of the most drastic steps including halting international flights, suspending work at most institutions and closing public venues.

Gulf governments have announced stimulus packages to shield their energy-producing economies, which have also been hit by a collapse in oil prices. DUBAI VULNERABLE

Regional tourism and business hub the UAE approved an additional 16 billion dirhams ($4.36 billion) on Sunday for a total stimulus package of 126 billion dirhams, the country's vice president and Dubai ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, tweeted. The vital tourism and hospitality sector in Dubai, the region's most diversified economy, has been hit hard by the disruption to global travel.

The state-owned Emirates, one of the world’s biggest airlines, said it would temporarily suspend all passenger flights by March 25 while maintaining cargo operations. "We find ourselves in a situation where we cannot viably operate passenger services until countries re-open their borders, and travel confidence returns," Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum said in a statement on Sunday.

The Dubai World Cup, one of the world's richest horse races, has been canceled. Other Gulf states have expanded precautionary measures.

Oman on Sunday banned public gatherings, limited staffing at state entities and shut currency exchange shops. Kuwait on Saturday imposed a partial curfew nationwide and extended a work suspension for two weeks. Some supermarkets are allowing only 50 shoppers at a time, a Reuters witness said.

Qatar, where 481 coronavirus cases have been recorded mostly among migrant workers, is erecting checkpoints to enforce a ban on public gatherings. ($1 = 3.6729 UAE dirham)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)