![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NAS2VWCL5ARETVA4E7JNAAV66Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=7813a27692271a5a5cc33edf361efaa98f18b994be7053e6a680b96fb4a32d90&width=400&height=225)
People arrive to receive Covid-19 vaccine doses at a facility in Kuwait City. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6AYIOOSM5UTLFZUFLLKKMM2VKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8dea896686aa1f1c4340661f7a3942b85febe75ff6f4c83fcbd9db745e77380f&width=400&height=225)
Medical workers conduct Covid-19 antigen tests on Palestinians entering Israel from the Gaza Strip. Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6G3ESF26FEKEEPKUWLUEJ3AWYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=690c6b14cdde30bd93e2bc64e14d999909582cc76d3bb114b1eb8623974d164d&width=400&height=225)
Commuters wearing protective masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 get out of a tram in Istanbul. Turkey says the highly contagious Omicron variant now makes up more than 10 per cent of new cases in the country's crowded provinces. AP
A nurse collects samples at a Covid-19 drive-through in the NMC Hospital, Dubai Investments Park. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Pharmacies in the UAE have started selling Covid-19 self-testing kits. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IDGRTVFQGAU62G2XOEBDU4K4PM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9b14bede227b9bb785b3e7d008815f9bba2eb883bbf03daff1f4400bc19a5309&width=400&height=225)
Audience members wear protective masks during a lecture in Ankara, Turkey. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HFKU4J3BDRMYUDT37PTIAB3ZIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=c59a59930db9b4a22fb238e612f5e59a6a6657765ab1859d11fc17b8f76b9f80&width=400&height=225)
An Egyptian worshipper lights candles during Christmas Eve Mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Cairo. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PLOTVRRGYF7QSCXHO56W6LCPNA.jpg?smart=true&auth=60d50fc1e3e3ee34f1adc761f31aa2458e7b444da17d224bdf7a94ab3906cfa4&width=400&height=225)
Worshippers attend Christmas Eve Mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Cairo. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NAS2VWCL5ARETVA4E7JNAAV66Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=7813a27692271a5a5cc33edf361efaa98f18b994be7053e6a680b96fb4a32d90&width=400&height=225)
People arrive to receive Covid-19 vaccine doses at a facility in Kuwait City. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6AYIOOSM5UTLFZUFLLKKMM2VKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8dea896686aa1f1c4340661f7a3942b85febe75ff6f4c83fcbd9db745e77380f&width=400&height=225)
Medical workers conduct Covid-19 antigen tests on Palestinians entering Israel from the Gaza Strip. Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6G3ESF26FEKEEPKUWLUEJ3AWYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=690c6b14cdde30bd93e2bc64e14d999909582cc76d3bb114b1eb8623974d164d&width=400&height=225)
Commuters wearing protective masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 get out of a tram in Istanbul. Turkey says the highly contagious Omicron variant now makes up more than 10 per cent of new cases in the country's crowded provinces. AP
A nurse collects samples at a Covid-19 drive-through in the NMC Hospital, Dubai Investments Park. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Pharmacies in the UAE have started selling Covid-19 self-testing kits. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IDGRTVFQGAU62G2XOEBDU4K4PM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9b14bede227b9bb785b3e7d008815f9bba2eb883bbf03daff1f4400bc19a5309&width=400&height=225)
Audience members wear protective masks during a lecture in Ankara, Turkey. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HFKU4J3BDRMYUDT37PTIAB3ZIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=c59a59930db9b4a22fb238e612f5e59a6a6657765ab1859d11fc17b8f76b9f80&width=400&height=225)
An Egyptian worshipper lights candles during Christmas Eve Mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Cairo. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PLOTVRRGYF7QSCXHO56W6LCPNA.jpg?smart=true&auth=60d50fc1e3e3ee34f1adc761f31aa2458e7b444da17d224bdf7a94ab3906cfa4&width=400&height=225)
Worshippers attend Christmas Eve Mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Cairo. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NAS2VWCL5ARETVA4E7JNAAV66Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=7813a27692271a5a5cc33edf361efaa98f18b994be7053e6a680b96fb4a32d90&width=400&height=225)
People arrive to receive Covid-19 vaccine doses at a facility in Kuwait City. EPA
Abu Dhabi tightens Covid restrictions at social events
Guidelines issued by the emirate's Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee are now in force
![The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F9e2159fa-e4db-4215-b498-6b3607b75bee.png?smart=true&auth=cf728de2f2d93afc214682199f23d53c844677eb59567fe99abdb1c7e9f03161&width=70&height=70)
The National
26 December, 2021
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic