Friday prayers resume in Tehran amid fears of new virus surge Services were held some 20 months after coronavirus concerns forced Iranian Health Ministry officials to bar Muslim worshippers from attending Friday prayers. Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Oct 22, 2021 Mask-clad Iranians gather in a mosque in the capital, Tehran, to perform Friday prayers for the first time after authorities eased some restrictions put in place for over a year in a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus, on Oct. 22, 2021.
Kuwait to ease virus restrictions The Gulf state places strict restrictions on unvaccinated people despite low case counts and a low vaccination rate. Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Oct 21, 2021
Israel announces plan to admit vaccinated tourists Under the plan, which requires approval from the Cabinet, tourists who received their second vaccine dose or booster shot in the last six months are eligible for entry into Israel. Al-Monitor Staff | Israel | Oct 21, 2021
Despite vaccination push, Iran nearing sixth wave of COVID Despite rising vaccination rates, Iran sees a sixth wave of coronavirus on the horizon. Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Oct 20, 2021
Bennett puts Israeli parents in charge of virus testing The parents of Israeli students will now need to test their children for the coronavirus before can return to school after the Sukkot holiday. Afif Abu Much | Israel | Oct 5, 2021
'Futuristic' Dubai Expo to open one year late Delayed by the pandemic, Dubai is ready to take its turn on the world stage with its $6.8 billion showcase expo. Todd Reisz | Gulf | Sep 30, 2021
Qatar Airways reports $4 billion in losses Qatar Airways' finances were also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during the previous fiscal year, though the airline has now largely rebuilt its flight network. Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Sep 29, 2021
Bennett’s UN speech stirs controversy in Israel over pandemic efforts In his speech at the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made it clear that he, not the health authorities, have the final say on the national campaign against the coronavirus. Mazal Mualem | Israel | Sep 29, 2021
Yemen asks for 'balanced' vaccine donation at UN forum Yemen has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the world, and suffering related to the COVID-19 pandemic is compounded by the ongoing war in the country. Adam Lucente | Yemen | Sep 28, 2021
Gaza's children ravaged by third wave of COVID-19 pandemic Children in the Gaza Strip are the latest victims of vaccine scarcity during the coronavirus pandemic. A correspondent in Gaza | Palestine | Sep 28, 2021
Israel’s Bennett endorses self-testing, booster shots over lockdowns in UN speech The Israeli prime minister said that countries should avoid the “economic price” of lockdowns by vaccinating and offering mass testing. Adam Lucente | News Brief | Sep 27, 2021
UAE relaxes mask rules as COVID-19 cases decline Masks are no longer required while exercising outdoors or at public beaches and swimming pools, Emirati health authorities announced Wednesday. Al-Monitor Staff | United Arab Emirates | Sep 22, 2021
Iran to lift visa restrictions to revive pandemic-hit tourism sector Iran’s new tourism chief said the government will soon scrap visa restrictions, a plan that the struggling tourism sector has been desperately waiting for to get back on its feet amid the coronavirus pandemic. Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Sep 22, 2021
Egypt receives vaccine doses via France The AstraZeneca vaccine doses were delivered via the World Health Organization's COVAX initiative. Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Sep 20, 2021
Intel: US lifts Iran-related sanctions, says no connection to nuclear deal Elizabeth Hagedorn | Iran | Oct 8, 2021
Mask-clad Iranians gather in a mosque in the capital, Tehran, to perform Friday prayers for the first time after authorities eased some restrictions put in place for over a year in a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus, on Oct. 22, 2021.
