Bahrain Temporarily Stops Flight to Dubai, Sharjah Over Coronavirus Fears

The tiny island nation of Bahrain suspended flights to the world’s busiest airport for worldwide journey in Dubai on Tuesday over fears concerning the unfold of a brand new virus. The transfer by Bahrain, a small island off the coast of Saudi Arabia, steered its monarchy had doubts about screenings of incoming passengers in Dubai and close by Sharjah within the United Arab Emirates. It mentioned the ban was instant and would final a minimum of 48 hours. Bahrain counted its first case of the coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 sickness on Monday in a college bus driver who transited Dubai whereas coming from Iran.

Dubai International Airport didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. Officials at Sharjah’s airport couldn’t be instantly reached. Dubai has been screening passengers on incoming flights from China, the place the outbreak started. Long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad are among the many few worldwide airways nonetheless flying to Beijing. However, the outbreak in Iran solely grew to become public in latest days.

Iran’s authorities mentioned Monday that 12 individuals had died nationwide from the brand new coronavirus, rejecting claims of a a lot larger dying toll of 50 by a lawmaker from town of Qom that has been on the epicentre of the virus within the nation. The conflicting stories raised questions concerning the Iranian authorities’s transparency regarding the scale of the outbreak.

Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq and Oman additionally introduced their first instances of the virus on Monday and related them to journey with Iran. The UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula, has reported 13 instances of the brand new virus. Most of these have been related to Chinese journey.