Ministers of Health of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states announced that all precautionary measures have been taken to preventively deal, at the member states borders' outlets, with the new Coronavirus (COVID-19), by implementing the International Health Regulations (2005) approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and a the Unified Health Procedures' Guide, at all border crossings of the member states, that were approved by the GCC Supreme Council, at the 39th Summit, held in Riyadh, in December 2018. This was unfolded, during an exceptional emergency meeting held by the ministers of health here today, under the chairmanship of the Emirates' Minister of Health and Community Protection Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Owais. During the meeting, the ministers also discussed the current developments regarding the Coronavirus, in order to be aware of the latest virus related developments. They also discussed coordination and unification of the efforts of the GCC countries, in this field, and taking the necessary preventive and countermeasures. The Health Ministers mandated the relevant committees working in this regard to follow up the developments in this matter and exchange information among the members states. The ministers also praised the efforts made by China, in following up and fighting the virus, expressing their full support for cooperation with Beijing, in this regard. On the other hand, the ministers thanked the United Arab Emirates for evacuation of many nationals of Arab countries and keeping them for a period of medical isolation, in quarantines, and transporting them to their countries, following taking necessary medical measurements. Furthermore, the Emirates Minister of Health expressed sincere congratulations to the newly appointed Secretary-General of the GCC Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, on assumption of the position, wishing him success in his duties to strengthen the member states relations and achieve their goals and aspirations. He concluded by thanking the ministers of health for their interaction and the rapid response to attend the extraordinary meeting on the new Coronavirus, at the invitation of the General Secretariat of the GCC.
