Lebanon went into lockdown and Iraqis prepared for a curfew Monday as part of regional efforts to contain the new coronavirus even as businesses remained open in Iran, which is battling the worst outbreak in the Middle East and where another senior official has died from the virus.
The divergent approaches adopted by local authorities reflect continued uncertainty over how to slow the spread of a virus that has infected around 170,000 people worldwide and caused more than 6,500 deaths.
Most people experience only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, and recover within weeks. But the virus is highly contagious and can be spread by people with no visible symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
Panic broke out in Iraq after authorities announced a weeklong curfew late on Sunday. People raced to supermarkets and swiftly emptied shelves, while others stocked up on kerosene and cooking gas. The curfew, which is set to begin late Tuesday, includes the suspension of all flights from Baghdad's international airport.
Iraq's Health Ministry has reported 124 cases of coronavirus and nine deaths.
Iraq later suspended flights at its domestic airports from March 17 to March 24 as the coronavirus spreads, the civil aviation authority said on Monday according to the state news agency.
In Lebanon, where the government ordered a lockdown starting Sunday night, traffic was thin and, in some cases, streets were completely empty on Monday, the start of the working week. Restaurants, cafes and bars have been closed since last week and most private businesses were also shuttered Monday.
In some areas, police were going around and asking shop owners to close in line with the government orders. Few people could be seen at Lebanon´s seaside corniche, and police were asking them to leave. Pharmacies, bakeries and other businesses related to making or selling food were allowed to stay open. The small country has reported 99 cases and three deaths from the new coronavirus.
Hamra Street, the Lebanese capital's most famous shopping street and a residential district, was eerily quiet as shops, restaurants and cafes along the usually bustling thoroughfare were closed.
Both Iraq and Lebanon have been largely in disarray since anti-government protests broke out last year, and Lebanon was mired in its worst financial crisis in years even before the pandemic began.
One of the worst outbreaks in the world has unfolded in Iran, which wields influence over both Iraq and Lebanon. Authorities there have reported 14,000 confirmed cases and more than 700 deaths, with the toll rising by more than 100 in the last 24 hours. The real numbers may be even higher, as some have questioned the government's reporting.
Authorities have not ordered businesses to close, however, and many Iranians have dismissed fears about the virus and advice from public health officials to avoid social contact. Restaurants and cafes have remained open, though business has diminished.
North Africa
Algeria will suspend all sea and air travel between it and Europe from Thursday over the coronavirus, Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad said in a statement.
Algeria said on Sunday it would suspend all travel to and from France starting on Tuesday, adding that Air Algerie would arrange emergency flights to bring back citizens.
Tunisia’s land border with Libya has been closed due to the coronavirus, Transport Minister Anouar Maarouf said on Monday.
Tunisia, which has confirmed 20 cases of the coronavirus, has imposed restrictions on flights with some European countries and stopped sea travel.
Libya, where power is split between rival administrations in Tripoli and Benghazi, has not yet confirmed any cases of the coronavirus, but has stopped most commercial air and sea travel.
Morocco will close eateries, cinemas, theaters, sports, public clubs, baths and other entertainment venues starting from today over coronavirus fears, the Interior Ministry said.
Markets, and shops selling necessary goods as well as restaurants offering a delivery service are exempt, the ministry said in a statement.
Morocco, which confirmed 29 coronavirus cases, including one death and one recovery, suspended all international flights, closed schools and banned gatherings of more than 50 people.
Egypt said on Monday all flights would be suspended until the end of the month to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
"Flights will be suspended from Thursday until March 31," Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly told a televised news conference.
He said the move was necessary to lessen social interaction especially among "tourists coming in or out of Egypt".
Losses from a flight shutdown are expected to reach more than 2.25 billion Egyptian pounds ($130 million), the prime minister said.
Egypt has confirmed 26 virus cases, including of foreigners, and the country has recorded two deaths -- a German tourist and an Egyptian woman, according to authorities.
Twenty-six patients who were infected have recovered and released from hospital.
Authorities have taken a number of measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus, including closing schools and universities
On Monday, the prime minister also urged Egyptians to "stay put" in their homes and avoid "panic shopping" saying the state has ample reserves of food items and other basic products.
