4 Novel coronavirus hurts the
Middle East and North Africa
through many channels
Rabah Arezki and Ha Nguyen
World Bank
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was first alerted to the World Health Organization
(WHO) by the Chinese authorities on 31 December 2019. This new virus can cause flu-
like symptoms which often are more severe and more likely to result in death than other
known coronaviruses. The virus has spread to more than 65 countries and territories,
with about 87,600 cases and close to 3,000 deaths (as of 26 February 2019).^1 It has
the potential to severely disrupt global economic activities. In this chapter, I examine
the channels through which COVID-19 may affect the Middle East and North Africa
(MENA) region.
COVID-19 infections
Travellers from China, Korea, Italy, and other affected countries could spread COVID-19
to the MENA region. The virus has already spread to Iran and other MENA countries.
As of 29 February, Iran had reported 593 infections and at least 43 deaths.^2 The rapid
rise in infections there is likely to disrupt the country’s production and trade. As the
virus spread in Iran, authorities closed schools and cancelled art and film events, and
neighbouring countries closed their land borders with Iran.^3 Other MENA countries
have also reported infections. As of 29 February, the United Arab Emirates had reported
19 cases, Iraq had reported 8 cases, Bahrain had reported 38 cases and Kuwait had
reported 45 cases. Egypt, Qatar and Lebanon have also reported their first cases.^4
1 https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
2 https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
3 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/neighbours-close-borders-iran-virus-concerns-rise-200223160135283.html
4 https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/