![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RYTALDDUOYPX45LF2ACIXWLQQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=781c7bd1587068b39e3596655cecc1c04e0e084fcaf4a4fc2b4e13cba732cd92&width=400&height=225)
Tourists enjoy during a summer vacation on the Orange beach at a Red Sea resort in Hurghada, Egypt. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HA23TDDOWWCE6XCY3HDC5JGG2M.jpg?smart=true&auth=23e73ea388949369ec51894cc2801da9ceeb3366e841990ba6465340500c3a32&width=400&height=225)
Dubai youngster Gabriel works in an aquaponic herb garden at an eco-friendly summer camp at the city's Arbor School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GCYHX32IP5Z2X3SGGSJEHSMY6I.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc1604b395006ce07b29c5d43b7db18476a119551deb33ce3e2bd4e9b9ac3a1b&width=400&height=225)
Melis holds a Bearded Dragon at Arbor School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6VFZ2JSIRF25YQNKLM5FFQTTTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=552b796e15875605b455cfee872f4aa1b0f3b00ba5ac11bbccf442415080bd10&width=400&height=225)
Children take part in a 'tumble tots' class with coach Melisa Prior. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TDPSZII464WIPIT4UVYIUKMJSM.jpg?smart=true&auth=94b24307302c7478c6fb6a8b87b6008ef7af2be775c71bebfee375809f4e50bc&width=400&height=225)
Charlotte, aged 11, climbs at a summer school at Rock Republic. Pupils return to class from Sunday for the first time since March. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AZIN4NBF3JU7KYDXDENKYLQCUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=fb3946062c4fd3bd902d31be069999e5cdcae654da2288a269f2424c7fef8597&width=400&height=225)
A model of a Transformer robot wears a mask and carries a sign saying 'stay home' outside a shop in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JLAXY3D7VYSI4YFTMXRMGV6SUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e9fc09c0394e49f36dd2fdb9744ec10e51317effb30f5d05949e88ad40fac2de&width=400&height=225)
A medic checks the body temprature of a patient at a treatment centre in Ariha city, south Idlib, Syria, on August 25, 2020. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GJVTCQAUPPNATHLIUB3EQLMBG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=49b189dbe735146112b0e644e5351b97a12c24db6a9b5656d09c5b30666ae0fa&width=400&height=225)
Palestinian men pray at an almost-empty mosque in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, before prayers at places of worship were suspended. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JPZFLRPDYTESCUGAS5DWZFK4RU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f3ae35e6d77332d593349372bac3e886941e07b5ac1df817dbe03d039710d0a5&width=400&height=225)
Palestinian police officers speak with a man as they patrol at a beach during a lockdown. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/27U3WDBBMK3ZA4LFQVHLYSKZHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=af328f84978fbdca011d43f9ac9c74f2310a72d4b163c5c631d968e9ca274b0f&width=400&height=225)
A woman walks in front of the Yeni Mosque at the Eminonu Square, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PQCD2RS3SC3YV62DUJJNRXJ6LQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=30ac58f7dd2912ed1f4232541cfb8d724faebe67b1dd95cfe5c834ff9463c9c1&width=400&height=225)
A Palestinian man wears a face mask as he locks a shop during a 48-hour lockdown. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H77VSB636BX7SVSTRSI3X3TRBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8aeb361e74af3fe78c912e09c19675bfab0e67a6322aa948c50c854e79c0f220&width=400&height=225)
Medical personnel spray disinfectants at a community treatment centre for possible Covid-19 patients in Ariha city, south Idlib, Syria. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VTBNOKGTXO64IYALZGCZZNKQ7U.jpg?smart=true&auth=48ccef8c4d0f4176774b63ac27602ec8a27558009dfaf68986bfd0d9394eefe1&width=400&height=225)
Meals are handed out to a patient at the community treatment centre in Syria's Ariha city. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SAHTC7VVMS3CMUR6VYWD6VKQJM.jpg?smart=true&auth=eea0238cff7109fc04e0925f897646ce80fb6ea5aba54cf365b3d21c8471168e&width=400&height=225)
A ferry with Egyptian and Saudi Arabia flags is seen at the Hurghada Maritime Port. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RYTALDDUOYPX45LF2ACIXWLQQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=781c7bd1587068b39e3596655cecc1c04e0e084fcaf4a4fc2b4e13cba732cd92&width=400&height=225)
Tourists enjoy during a summer vacation on the Orange beach at a Red Sea resort in Hurghada, Egypt. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HA23TDDOWWCE6XCY3HDC5JGG2M.jpg?smart=true&auth=23e73ea388949369ec51894cc2801da9ceeb3366e841990ba6465340500c3a32&width=400&height=225)
Dubai youngster Gabriel works in an aquaponic herb garden at an eco-friendly summer camp at the city's Arbor School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GCYHX32IP5Z2X3SGGSJEHSMY6I.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc1604b395006ce07b29c5d43b7db18476a119551deb33ce3e2bd4e9b9ac3a1b&width=400&height=225)
Melis holds a Bearded Dragon at Arbor School. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6VFZ2JSIRF25YQNKLM5FFQTTTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=552b796e15875605b455cfee872f4aa1b0f3b00ba5ac11bbccf442415080bd10&width=400&height=225)
Children take part in a 'tumble tots' class with coach Melisa Prior. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TDPSZII464WIPIT4UVYIUKMJSM.jpg?smart=true&auth=94b24307302c7478c6fb6a8b87b6008ef7af2be775c71bebfee375809f4e50bc&width=400&height=225)
Charlotte, aged 11, climbs at a summer school at Rock Republic. Pupils return to class from Sunday for the first time since March. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AZIN4NBF3JU7KYDXDENKYLQCUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=fb3946062c4fd3bd902d31be069999e5cdcae654da2288a269f2424c7fef8597&width=400&height=225)
A model of a Transformer robot wears a mask and carries a sign saying 'stay home' outside a shop in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JLAXY3D7VYSI4YFTMXRMGV6SUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e9fc09c0394e49f36dd2fdb9744ec10e51317effb30f5d05949e88ad40fac2de&width=400&height=225)
A medic checks the body temprature of a patient at a treatment centre in Ariha city, south Idlib, Syria, on August 25, 2020. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GJVTCQAUPPNATHLIUB3EQLMBG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=49b189dbe735146112b0e644e5351b97a12c24db6a9b5656d09c5b30666ae0fa&width=400&height=225)
Palestinian men pray at an almost-empty mosque in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, before prayers at places of worship were suspended. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JPZFLRPDYTESCUGAS5DWZFK4RU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f3ae35e6d77332d593349372bac3e886941e07b5ac1df817dbe03d039710d0a5&width=400&height=225)
Palestinian police officers speak with a man as they patrol at a beach during a lockdown. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/27U3WDBBMK3ZA4LFQVHLYSKZHY.jpg?smart=true&auth=af328f84978fbdca011d43f9ac9c74f2310a72d4b163c5c631d968e9ca274b0f&width=400&height=225)
A woman walks in front of the Yeni Mosque at the Eminonu Square, amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PQCD2RS3SC3YV62DUJJNRXJ6LQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=30ac58f7dd2912ed1f4232541cfb8d724faebe67b1dd95cfe5c834ff9463c9c1&width=400&height=225)
A Palestinian man wears a face mask as he locks a shop during a 48-hour lockdown. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H77VSB636BX7SVSTRSI3X3TRBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8aeb361e74af3fe78c912e09c19675bfab0e67a6322aa948c50c854e79c0f220&width=400&height=225)
Medical personnel spray disinfectants at a community treatment centre for possible Covid-19 patients in Ariha city, south Idlib, Syria. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VTBNOKGTXO64IYALZGCZZNKQ7U.jpg?smart=true&auth=48ccef8c4d0f4176774b63ac27602ec8a27558009dfaf68986bfd0d9394eefe1&width=400&height=225)
Meals are handed out to a patient at the community treatment centre in Syria's Ariha city. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SAHTC7VVMS3CMUR6VYWD6VKQJM.jpg?smart=true&auth=eea0238cff7109fc04e0925f897646ce80fb6ea5aba54cf365b3d21c8471168e&width=400&height=225)
A ferry with Egyptian and Saudi Arabia flags is seen at the Hurghada Maritime Port. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RYTALDDUOYPX45LF2ACIXWLQQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=781c7bd1587068b39e3596655cecc1c04e0e084fcaf4a4fc2b4e13cba732cd92&width=400&height=225)
Tourists enjoy during a summer vacation on the Orange beach at a Red Sea resort in Hurghada, Egypt. Reuters
Coronavirus: Gulf drives down cases but rest of Middle East struggles with dire second wave
New analysis shows the stark divide as countries with weak government and poor health systems lag behind
![Daniel Bardsley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F4dcffed7-67d1-4c6f-b468-84a82d1ddd22.png?smart=true&auth=e4d7a6e3c76d7ec922e25339bc18538c62bc925936c2316006dc89b8a7becdc6&width=70&height=70)
Daniel Bardsley
26 August, 2020
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic