Bahrain’s trade minister said some businesses on the island have been allowed to re-open, in the first apparent relaxation of coronavirus restrictions in the Arabian Gulf region.
The announcement came hours before the government opened up the online system to allow private sector companies to apply for salary cover from the state.
The state will cover the pay of over 100,000 Bahrainis for three months from April, a measure set to cost $570 million.
The official news agency quoted Zayed Al Zayani as saying on Tuesday that “commercial and industrial shops that provide goods or services directly to the consumer” can reopen.
Mr Al Zayani did not give details on the type of businesses but said they would operate with reduced staff and have to obey social distancing and mask-wearing rules.
He said gyms, cinemas and swimming pools would remain closed under a new order, with restaurants only allowed to operate on delivery bases. Hair salons and shisha cafes also remain closed, he added.
The authorities announced on Tuesday the death of a 70-year old Bahraini who had caught the coronavirus and indicated that infections are particularly rising among migrant workers.
The man is at least the fifth person officially confirmed to have died from the effects of the coronavirus in Bahrain, which has recorded more than 800 cases.
Oman's Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq has pardoned 599 prisoners incarcerated in "different cases", the official news agency said on Wednesday.
The agency said more than half of those who will be released are foreigners. It did not give a number of the total prison population in the country.
The pardon came as Saudi Arabia released people convicted of financial violations and other countries in the Middle East let go of prisoners to lessen the spread of the coronavirus.
Saudi Arabian authorities overnight ordered the immediate release of people held for not repaying their debt.
Justice Minister Walid Al Samaani told the official news agency that the order by King Salman covers all nationalities "as part of the state's efforts to contain the coronavirus".
The order suspends sentencing in debt cases and release "all who have been jailed as a result of these sentences," the agency said.
Sri Lanka World Cup squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
About RuPay
A homegrown card payment scheme launched by the National Payments Corporation of India and backed by the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank
RuPay process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with credit or debit cards
It has grown rapidly in India and competes with global payment network firms like MasterCard and Visa.
In India, it can be used at ATMs, for online payments and variations of the card can be used to pay for bus, metro charges, road toll payments
The name blends two words rupee and payment
Some advantages of the network include lower processing fees and transaction costs
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Zombieland: Double Tap
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Stars: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone
Four out of five stars
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
UAE Tour 2020
Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km
Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km
Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km
Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km
Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km
Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km
Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km
Company%20Profile
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Rashford 36')
Liverpool 1 (Lallana 84')
Man of the match: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
As You Were
Liam Gallagher
(Warner Bros)
Hidden killer
Sepsis arises when the body tries to fight an infection but damages its own tissue and organs in the process.
The World Health Organisation estimates it affects about 30 million people each year and that about six million die.
Of those about three million are newborns and 1.2 are young children.
Patients with septic shock must often have limbs amputated if clots in their limbs prevent blood flow, causing the limbs to die.
Campaigners say the condition is often diagnosed far too late by medical professionals and that many patients wait too long to seek treatment, confusing the symptoms with flu.
MATCH INFO
England 19 (Try: Tuilagi; Cons: Farrell; Pens: Ford (4)
New Zealand 7 (Try: Savea; Con: Mo'unga)
The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
