Loading ...PHOTOS: Arab Cities Turn into Ghost Towns as a Result of COVID-19
SOURCE: STEPFEED
BY: MARIAM NABBOUT
The Arab world is on official lockdown in a collective bid to slow down the novel coronavirus’ spread in the region.
Cities all around us are practically shut down, schools and universities are suspended, shops have been closed, and life as we know it has come to a halt.
The pandemic continues to wreak havoc all over the world and our countries are no different. As we try to protect ourselves and our loved ones, the landscapes around us have completely changed.
Naturally, the cities we’ve emptied out have been captured on camera and images of them are like nothing we’ve seen before.
1. The Holy Kaaba in Saudi Arabia
COVID-19 has led to the unprecedented decision to close Mecca’s holiest sites including the Kaaba on March 5 for a disinfection session.
The place has rarely ever been this empty as is usually packed with pilgrims and worshippers who travel from all over the world to fulfill religious duties including Umrah and Hajj.
Saudi Arabia has also been taking other strict measures to curb the spread of the illness in the kingdom, which has so far reported 238 cases.
2. The Dubai Mall like we’ve always dreamt it would be
One of the largest shopping centers in the world, The Dubai Mall has yet to shut down, but practically has no visitors amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
The UAE has confirmed a total of 113 infections with the novel coronavirus.
3. Dubai International Airport is empty for the first time in its history
It’s quite harrowing to see this footage of one of the busiest airports in the world; Dubai International Airport reached one billion travelers in December 2018. It just goes to show how far-reaching the effects of this viral outbreak are.
4. Lebanon’s downtown is now a ghost town
The notorious traffic-packed roads of Lebanon’s downtown in Beirut are no more. There are barely any cars on the street amid the novel coronavirus lockdown currently in effect.
The country has confirmed 133 cases of the illness so far and the number is set to increase over the next few days.
5. Beirut’s bustling streets emptied
Once packed with pub-goers, visitors, and employees, Beirut’s bustling Hamra district is completely empty. What is notorious for its traffic jams at all times during the day, has been witnessing barely a few people this month.
6. Kuwait’s Souq Al Mubarakiya has never been so empty
Kuwait’s historic Souq Al Mubarakiya is a landmark visited by thousands on the daily but not these days. There’s barely anyone in the area at the moment and all shops except supermarkets and grocery stores are closed.
Kuwait’s government has issued strict warnings against anyone who breaks the lockdown rules. The country has been witnessing a sharp increase in cases on a daily basis. As of Wednesday, the Gulf nation has reported a total of 142 cases of the virus.
7. The Avenues, aka Kuwait’s busiest mall, looks like this now
One of the most visited malls in the Middle East and a place where you literally can’t find parking spots on weekdays and weekends is now completely desolate.
Kuwait’s The Avenues mall closed its doors to shoppers this week, only allowing grocery stores on its premises to open to the public.
8. Jordan’s highways are desolate
Jordan recorded a sharp increase in novel coronavirus cases this week and is now treating 56 patients.
As the situation continues to escalate, the country’s King Abdullah issued a law granting the local “sweeping powers to enforce a state of emergency to help it combat the spread of coronavirus,” Reuters reported.
The regulation went into effect on Wednesday; Amman’s streets are now officially empty.
9. So are Palestine’s towns
As of Wednesday, Palestine has confirmed 44 cases of coronavirus infections. It has been reported that 37 of those infected caught the virus after a Greek religious tourist group visited Bethlehem earlier this month.
The city’s streets are now completely empty as people have been advised to stay at home in a bid to curb the illness’ spread.