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From Oman’s Plastic Bag Ban To Qatar’s Mental Health Programme, 5 GCC Updates For You

From Oman's plastic bag ban to Qatar's senior health initiative, here are this week's GCC updates.

by Deeplata Garde
From Oman’s Plastic Bag Ban To Qatar’s Mental Health Programme, 5 GCC Updates For You

It’s been a busy week across the Gulf, with new rules, fresh rankings and a few updates that could affect daily life for residents. These GCC updates quietly shape everyday life across the region.

1. Oman Expands Plastic Bag Ban From July 1

Starting July 1, the fifth phase of the Sultanate’s ban on single-use plastic shopping bags comes into force, bringing more sectors under the restrictions. Furniture stores, carpet and blanket retailers, gold and jewellery shops, vehicle dealerships and car care businesses will all be expected to move away from plastic carrier bags.

2. UAE Ranked Third Globally For Road Quality

The UAE has ranked third in the world for road quality in 2026, according to the latest global figures. Only Singapore and Switzerland placed ahead of the Emirates. The ranking looked at factors including maintenance, road conditions and transport infrastructure. For a country where millions of people drive daily between cities and emirates, strong transport links have become less of a luxury and more of an expectation.

3. Qatar Launches Mental Health Plan For Seniors

Qatar is turning its attention towards the well-being of older residents with a new mental health initiative launched by the Ministry of Public Health. The programme focuses on promoting emotional well-being, encouraging social engagement and supporting healthy ageing. Also, it reflects a broader shift happening across the region as mental health moves further into mainstream healthcare conversations.

4. Saudi Airlines Fined Over Passenger Violations

Saudi Arabia’s national carrier has been fined by aviation authorities in Nigeria following passenger-related violations. The penalties reportedly relate to cases involving denied boarding and failures linked to passenger rights and welfare obligations. Authorities imposed a fine of six million Nigerian naira and instructed the airline to strengthen compliance measures moving forward.

Also Read: From Dubai Zoo’s 90-Home Transformation To New Job Rules In Saudi, 5 GCC Updates For You

5. Qatar Airways Boosts Seychelles Summer Connectivity

Seychelles is expanding its summer air links with support from Middle Eastern carriers, including Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines, alongside Russia’s Aeroflot. The move will boost visitor numbers and improve connectivity from major hubs such as Doha and Istanbul. This will make the island destination easier to reach for travellers across the GCC.

Here’s all about GCC Updates for the week. We will be back with a fresh batch on Monday!

Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro

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First Published: June 27, 2026 6:06 PM