Tunisia is imposing tighter entry requirements following the discovery of the fast-spreading Omicron variant of Covid-19.
The national scientific advisory committee and government is considering a potential border closure to prevent another wave of the disease from overwhelming the healthcare system.
Rapid testing identified the genetic code for Omicron in a passenger arriving on a flight from Turkey, Hechmi Louzir, the director of the Pasteur Institute in Tunis, said last night.
The passenger is asymptomatic and has been quarantined. All other passengers were fully vaccinated and tested negative.
Tunisia suffered a catastrophic wave of Covid-19 infections in July that stretched frontline services to breaking point, causing a scandal when images of patients and dead bodies lying in corridors flooded the press.
Tunisia had failed to get its vaccination programme implemented effectively and was woefully short of oxygen and doctors.
Many doctors had left the country to find better work opportunities abroad.
However, since the July Covid-19 wave, Tunisian authorities have rolled out mass vaccination campaigns, with 5,225,716 people vaccinated to date.
From December 22, Tunisians and foreign residents must show proof of vaccination to access all public and private spaces, such as state institutions, hospitals and businesses.
According to Presidential Decree No.1 of October 22, this will also apply to university students and staff. The ministry of higher education and scientific research has stated proof of vaccination is mandatory to access university campuses.
Covid-19 figures are on the rise again, mostly detected in children, resulting in many schools being closed in the coastal town of Monastir and in Medenine, which lies close to the border with Libya. A further seven classes have been shut after 43 new infections were detected in the past ten days.
However, Riadh Daghfous of the scientific committee which advises the government on Covid-19 policy has expressed hesitancy over the question of vaccinating children.
Prior to July, Tunisia had struggled to get enough vaccines from donor nations but a steady supply of shots is now making its way into the country, enabling health services to offer booster vaccinations to adults over 18.
Saudi Arabia recently donated 40,000 tonnes of oxygen for Covid-19 patients, however the coronavirus is not the only risk to the economically fragile country.
The president of the Tunisian Association of Pharmacists, Nadhem Chakri, said on Tunisian radio that a shortage of more than 532 medicines, including insulin for diabetics, is compromising the health service’s ability to deliver basic healthcare.
Wary of another massive wave of Covid-19 wreaking economic havoc, Tunisia’s scientific committee has been speaking of the need to close borders again, particularly the eastern land border with Libya.
Tunisia’s refusal to reopen this border in September caused tensions between the neighbouring states to rise. For now, as Libya looks forward to its first free elections after years of conflict, this border remains open.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
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