Implementing guidelines issued by the Emir of Qatar on countering the spread of the COVID-19 including the decision to cancel customs fees, the Qatari Customs Department has cancelled fees on certain products. Customs fees on food and medicine will be cancelled for six months. The list of exempt items includes 905 items such as meat, dairy, fish, oils, juices, facial masks, sanitizers, soap products, detergents, wipes, and other products.
The Kuwaiti Health Ministry has decided to withdraw all medicines containing the anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine from private pharmacies and limit them to hospitals and health centres according to the state news agency. According to Undersecretary of Health for Drug and Food Control Affairs the decision has been made to tighten control over the distribution of these medicines and to prevent their misuse or monopoly. Plaquenil which is the brand name for hydroxychloroquine has recently been mentioned in the media as a possible treatment for COVID-19. However, doctors have said it can cause serious side effects or there is a risk of overdose without proper medical guidance.
The Central Bank of Bahrain has issued a circular to banks and finance companies directing them not to calculate any interest on the postponement of loans for six months starting from March to August 2020. The circular said original loan repayments should be stopped for six months and that no additional interest or fees should be imposed on customers. In addition, interest rates and repayment amounts should remain the same throughout the credit term and as they were before the postponement.
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has issued Abu Dhabi Circular No. 7/2020 on the work of judges and postponement of trial during the COVID-19 crisis. All courts in Abu Dhabi will postpone trials and appeals which currently have pending decisions for no less than 30 days. In addition, all judges in the urgent courts (including civil, commercial and labour) will work remotely and issue judgments on urgent cases and old cases where the decisions have already been made. Pending judgments will be postponed for no less than 30 days. The Circular also states case registration for initial hearings and appeals will be postponed for no less than 30 days starting from 26 March. Existing judgments will be given without the presence of the parties.
The UAE’s Health Prevention Ministry and the Interior Ministry have announced, there will be a ‘National Disinfection Programme’ which will involve a complete sterilisation of all public utilities, public transport and metro services during the weekend. The programme began at 8:00 PM on 26 March 2020 and ended at 06:00 AM on 29 March 2020 but has been extended.
During this period, the movement of traffic and the public will be restricted and public transportation and metro services will be halted. The public have been urged to stay at home during the disinfection period and not to go out unless it is absolutely necessary to get essential supplies or because they work in vital sectors, including energy, telecommunications, health, education, security, law enforcement, military, postal service, shipping and logistics, medicines, water, food, civil aviation, airports, passports, banking and financial services, government media and the service sectors, including petrol stations and construction. During this period workers’ personal or work identity will be checked and verified.
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Juridical Council has announced court hearings in the Kingdom are postponed. The aim is to tackle the spread of Coronavirus in the Kingdom. The hearings are cancelled until further notice except for urgent case hearings.
The Omani Police have announced customs clearing requirements will be relaxed. The aim is to help the commercial sector. Given the current circumstances in the country and the world, customs clearing requirements will be relaxed. Under the new requirements, imported goods can be cleared even when the importer is unable to provide the relevant documents and certificates from the source country.
Bahrain’s Shoura Council has referred the amended Bankruptcy Law (Bahrain Law No. 22/2018) to the country’s Cabinet to consider further. Under the amendments, owed amounts could be collected from representatives in Bahrain rather than in the country where the entity is based. In addition, owed amounts could be claimed from inheritors or guardian if the bankrupt party retires or dies. The 2018 Law was rushed through in 15 days as the authorities wanted bankruptcy legislation on the statute book.
Abu Dhabi’s Securities Exchange has announced it is temporarily closing its trading halls until further notice because of Coronavirus. The decision was taken following World Health Organisation advice to limit public gatherings. However, the closure will not affect trading operations. In addition, Sahmi services which are based online will continue to be provided.
Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has announced it is lifting Skype restrictions for businesses. It is a landmark move and will allow Skype for Business, Google Meet and Zoom to be used. The aim is boost business continuity and enable communications to continue.
Meanwhile, in the UAE, according to local media reports, the country has lifted some restrictions on internet calls there. However, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has not been able to be reached for comment. Under the relaxed rules, businesses will be able to use Microsoft Teams and Zoom. However, the restrictions on Skype, WhatsApp and FaceTime will not be lifted.