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.
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
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
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
Northwest Syria running low on COVID-19 tests, oxygen amid conflict The International Rescue Committee said coronavirus cases are increasing dramatically in the war-torn rebel territory. Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | Sep 16, 2021
Anti-vaxxer Turks protest Bill Gates at Istanbul rally Thousands of Turks came together in Istanbul to protest vaccinations, mandatory testing and other coronavirus measures while the country's overworked doctors lashed out at authorities for allowing the demonstration. Nazlan Ertan | Turkey | Sep 13, 2021
Israeli prime minister cracks down after pilgrims falsify test results New rules will be enforced after some Israelis with COVID-19 returned to the country from Ukraine using forged negative test results. Al-Monitor Staff | Israel | Sep 10, 2021
Egypt establishes largest coronavirus vaccine factory in Middle East Egypt is preparing to inaugurate the VACSERA factory complex in the 6th of October City, aiming to produce various types of vaccines in cooperation with major international companies. Rasha Mahmoud | Egypt | Sep 10, 2021
Egypt to receive Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses Only around 6% of Egypt is vaccinated against COVID-19, though confirmed cases remain relatively low. Al-Monitor Staff | Egypt | Sep 3, 2021
Abu Dhabi lifts quarantine requirement for vaccinated travelers Under the new guidelines, vaccinated travelers must still test negative for COVID-19 prior to departure and upon landing. Al-Monitor Staff | United Arab Emirates | Sep 2, 2021
With new Iranian president comes new promises of vaccines The new administration has made a number of promises on vaccines. Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Sep 1, 2021
Fears grow in Iran as pandemic worsens Iran wrestles with record infection and mortality rates and officials worry that a new variant could come in on the heels of the Delta variant, which has been ravaging the country. Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Aug 26, 2021
Weary of restrictions, maskless Turks risk fourth wave as variants take hold Nearly 18 months of coronavirus and a growing vaccination campaign has left many in Turkey careless about the risks of new variants of COVID-19. Andrew Wilks | Turkey | Aug 26, 2021
Qatar to provide coronavirus vaccines for Afghan evacuees COVID-19 tests and vaccines will be administered to Afghan evacuees who don't immediately depart for other flights, the Qatari Foreign Ministry has said. Al-Monitor Staff | Qatar | Aug 26, 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.
