Governments in GCC region should strengthen surveillance: WHO regional director

Muscat: With airports and borders are gradually opening, governments in the GCC region should continue to implement precautionary measures by strengthening surveillance at the entry points, Dr. Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO's regional director for the Middle East said on Wednesday.

Speaking to Oman TV, Al Mandhari said:” The region has reached a worrying stage, with the number of people infected with COVID-19 disease exceeding 19 million cases.”

“The Eastern Mediterranean Region is now at a critical stage, and lifting restrictions on the exit ban does not mean that we retreat from the response or give up our social responsibilities. Health systems are overburdened, health care workers are exhausted, and many people are still at risk,” he added.