Gulf Arab states expanded measures to contain the spread of coronavirus on Sunday with Oman banning open ship-to-ship transfers with Iranian vessels, Abu Dhabi's bourse closing trading halls and Dubai shuttering cinemas, gyms and arcades.
Citizens and residents in Kuwait, which went into virtual lockdown on Thursday, had their temperatures tested before entering banks, where long queues formed on Sunday after the state limited the number of operational branches. Masks and gloves were distributed to those in line.
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have taken the most drastic steps among the six Gulf Arab states, which have recorded a total of 870 cases but no deaths, by halting international passenger flights. The United Arab Emirates has suspended new entry visas from March 17 while Qatar has restricted visa issuance.