Table 2 Summary of government response in the GCC countries.

Containment and closure policies

C1

School closing

All GCC countries closed to school and reopened in November 2021 [21, 36]

C2

Workplace closing

All GCC countries closed non-essential businesses and reopened while maintaining social-distancing measures after the curve was flattened [21, 28]

C3

Cancelling public events

All GCC countries banned large public events such as concerts and religious and sporting events during the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak. Subsequently, public events were open to those who had completed vaccination [28]

C4

Restrictions on gatherings

All GCC countries placed restrictions on social gatherings, such as the postponement of large public events and mass gatherings such as weddings, and restrictions on religious mass gatherings, including pilgrimage [19, 28]

C5

Closing of public transport

Bahrain and the UAE: Public transportation was fully functional with restrictions

Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia: Public transportation was initially suspended [28]

C6

Stay-at-home requirements

The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait: Indefinite curfews were imposed, and major cities were sealed off; national curfews in these four countries lasted from March 2020 until May to August 2021 [21, 28]

Bahrain and Qatar: No curfews were imposed [28]

C7

Restrictions on internal movement

Saudi Arabia: Issued a ban on movement between 13 provinces and, effective on September 2021, only fully vaccinated passengers were allowed to fly on domestic flights

The UAE: All passengers entering Abu Dhabi must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 48 h

Omen: Issued a ban on interstate travel, and only people vaccinated with at least one dose were allowed to enter Musandam Governorate & Governorate of Dhofar (Khareef)

Kuwait: Vaccinated people can enter all places, but unvaccinated people can enter only pharmacies, supermarkets, medical centres, and hospitals

Bahrain and Qatar: No restrictions found [21]

C8

International travel controls

All GCC countries (except Bahrain) initially suspended international flights but then gradually resumed, with the timing of resumes varying from country to country [21]

Health system policies

H1

Public information campaigns

All GCC countries had a timely assessment of the risks of COVID-19, and transparent communication messaging was implemented at national and subnational levels. Oman’s response did not include risk communication team/health professionals at the subnational level [19]

H2

Policy on who has access to testing

PCR tests are widely available for all GCC countries [28]

H3

Policy on contact tracing after a positive diagnosis

All GCC member states established a daily practice of monitoring COVID-19 cases, mortality, and contact tracing, as well as aggregating weekly and monthly data [19]

H4

Announced short-term spending on the healthcare system, e.g. hospitals, masks, etc

All six GCC countries strengthened healthcare facilities, designated hospitals for treating COVID-19 patients, enforced infection control procedures and visual triage, and monitored the capacity for isolation beds, equipment, human resources, and critical medical supplies [19]

H5

Announced public spending on COVID-19 vaccine development

—

H6

Policies on the use of facial coverings outside the home

All implemented indoor mask-wearing requirements [28]

H7

Policies for vaccine delivery for different groups

All GCC countries have policies to determine the priority of vaccination among population groups [28]

H8

Protecting older people (as defined locally) in long-term care facilities and/or the community and home setting

Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar have recorded policies to protect older people

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman: No relevant information was found [28]

Vaccination policies

V1

The ranked position for different groups within a country prioritization plan

All the GCC countries have a step-by-step plan to vaccinate residents based on the prioritization plan in the country. Similarly, people most at risk of developing severe symptoms (e.g., senior people, people with chronic diseases) and people most at risk of getting infected (e.g., health care workers) are the top priorities [28]

V2

Categories of people—regardless of their position in a prioritized rollout plan—are currently receiving vaccines

Nationals and non-nationals in all the GCC countries are receiving vaccines in the GCC countries, despite their position in the prioritization order [28]

V3

How vaccines are funded for each category of people identified in OxCGRT ID category V2 as currently receiving vaccines

Vaccines are free in the GCC countries for all citizens and residents [28]

V4

Vaccine requirements for workers

All GCC countries have had a mandatory vaccination requirement for all people involved in indoor activities [28]

Economic policies

E1

Providing direct cash payments to people who lose their jobs or cannot work

Bahrain: Provides financial aid for taxi and bus drivers, kindergarten caregivers, and driving instructors

Kuwait: Establishes a mechanism to secure the minimum income that ensures the cost of living for workers affected by the current crisis and linked to contracts

Oman: Provides temporary income support to insured Omanis who lost their employment involuntarily and who seek to become re-employed

Qatar: All workers in isolation, quarantine, or receiving treatment are paid their basic salary and receive their allowances irrespective of whether they are entitled to sick leave benefits

Saudi Arabia: Issued a decision to cover 60% of salaries in the private sector. Wage support is extended only through July 2021

The UAE: Employers who lose their jobs under unforeseen circumstances will reportedly receive 60 percent of their salary, or up to $5,445 (AED 20,000) monthly for a limited time, helping maintain a rolling income [21]

E2

Freezing financial obligations for households

All the GCC countries have developed related economic policies to relieve the financial burden among households, though the intensity varies [21]

E3

Announced economic stimulus spending

All GCC countries introduced billion-dollar stimulus packages to help boost economies [21]

E4

Announced offers of COVID-19-related aid spending to other countries

The GCC countries have come together to support global equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, with US$221 million in funding pledges and US$50 million in in-kind support [37]