As of 9 April 2020, governments across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are continuing to revise and extend restrictions in an effort to control the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In Egypt, on 8 April local officials in the governorate of Beni Suef, located approximately 150 km (95 mi) south of Cairo, isolated 1,000 families and shut down a local factory in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19 in the governorate.
In Israel, security forces on 9 April arrested 20 far-right settlers in violation of a government-mandated quarantine in Jerusalem. Authorities placed the 20 individuals on a bus, where they broke windows and rioted, to transfer them to a temporary holding facility. There were no reports of casualties in the incident.
In Jordan, on 8 April officials announced the implementation of a nationwide curfew from 2359 local time (2059 UTC) on 9 April until 2359 local time on 11 April. Essential personnel — including government employees, medical personnel and COVID-19 researchers — are exempt from the curfew.
In Oman, on 8 April officials announced that a lockdown on the governorate of Muscat is set to begin on 10 April. The lockdown will prohibit any travel into or out of Muscat governorate — which includes the capital Muscat — and individuals will only be allowed to exit their homes for grocery shopping. The lockdown is slated to last until 22 April. As part of the lockdown, the Royal Omani Police will facilitate the movement of food supplies and medical personnel in the governorate.