Coronavirus: Spread of the pandemic in the Middle East

In the Middle East, Iran remains the major cluster of the Coronavirus pandemic while in the other regional countries, the number of cases tested positive is growing constantly.

Middle East

• 28 January
  United Arab Emirates: First case detected. It is also the first case detected in the Middle East.
• 18 February
  Iran: First case detected.
• 20 February
  Lebanon: First case detected.
  Iraq: Bagdad bans flights with Iran.
• 21 February
  Iraq: First case detected.
• 23 February
  Bahrain and Kuwait: First case detected.
• 27 February
  Saudi Arabia: Authorities suspend Mecca pilgrimage.
  Lebanon: Lebanese embassy calls on national to leave Iran.
• 28 February
  Qatar: First case detected.
  Iraq: Shutdown of public areas.
• 29 February
  Iraq, France and Spain added to China and Italy in the list of countries with which flights are banned.
• 1^st March
  Saudi Arabia: First case detected.
  Lebanon: Nurseries, schools and universities on lockdown for a week.
• 2 March
  Iraq: China offers diagnosis kits for coronavirus infections.
• 4 March
  Palestine: First case detected.
  Iraq: First death reported in a Middle East country (outside Iran).
• 7 March
  Qatar: Qatar Airways eases flight-booking requirements.
• 8 March
  Saudi Arabia: Riyadh orders confinement of a Shia majority province.
• 9 March
  Turkey: First case detected.
  Saudi Arabia: Flights with United Arab Emirates suspended.
  Qatar: Schools and universities closed until further notice.
• 10 March
  Iran: 70 000 detainees released for fear of further infections in prisons
  Lebanon: First death reported.
• 11 March
  Qatar: 238 new cases detected in a single day.
• 12 March
  Saudi Arabia: Suspension of flights with countries of major COVID-19 spread.
  Lebanon: «State of medical emergency declared».
• 13 March
  Postponement of two international summits : Saudi Arabia-Africa summit and Africa-Arab League summit.
• 14 March
  Saudi Arabia: Suspension of all international flights.
  Qatar: Suspension of football championship.
• 15 March
  Lebanon: Total confinement for at least one week.
• 16 March
  Qatar: Borders closed.
• 17 March
  Iraq: First day in curfew.
• 18 March
  Iran: Authorities ask the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for access to credit facility in order to cope with the pandemic.
  Jordan: Confinement started.
• 19 March
  Iraq: Suspension of international training mission of its army for 60 days
  Saudi Arabia: Prayers suspended in the Mecca and Medina mosques.
• 21 March
  Jordan: 24-hour curfew started.
  Saudi Arabia: All public transport suspended for 14 days.
• 22 March
  Iraq: Big turnout for the Bagdad Shia pilgrimage despite coronavirus.
• 23 March
  Jordan: Full-fledged curfew extended for 5 days while municipal departments dispatched to supply citizens.
  Syria: Turkish Red Crescent President voices concern over spread of virus in refugee camps controlled by Turkey in northern Syria where one million people are harbored.
• 24 March
  Lebanon: Shortage in medical supplies..
• 26 March
  United Arab Emirates: Night curfew imposed in order to sterilize public spaces and mask wearing is compulsory.
  Bahrain: Non-essential sectors closed for fifteen days.
  Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia calls on G20 for “effective and elaborate response” during virtual summit chaired by its King.
• 28 March
  Syria: UNO Envoy for Syria calls for a ceasefire in order to start response to the threat of coronavirus.
  Qatar: First death detected.
• 29 March
  Turkey: Authorities are increasing restrictions but stop short of imposing all-out confinement.
• 30 March
  Iraq: Some tribes refuse to grant land for burial of coronavirus dead.
• 31 March
  Iran: Europe provides medical gear to the country.
  Jordan: All-out confinement paying off.
  Lebanon: The country authorizes return of expatriates.