Preventive measures against the eclipse

Counting down has started for August 11, the date of the last eclipse for this century. With the approach of the eclipse several Arab states have taken preventive measures to protect their citizens during the eclipse.

Special programs have been broadcast and publications were circulated explaining this phenomenon, while seminars have been organized telling citizens how to protect themselves on that day.

In Amman, the Jordanian government decided to have August 11 as a day off for all public ministries and establishments to help citizens avoid the risks of being exposed to the sun during the eclipse.

Jordanian dailies published on Sunday said the decision to have August 11 as day off was taken during a Sunday meeting for the Jordanian Cabinet, adding that Prime Minister Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh asked state-run media to prepare programs and orientation symposiums for citizens to instruct them not to look directly towards the sun during the eclipse, especially children.

Lebanon launched an orientation campaign on the consequences of the eclipse and on Wednesday the Lebanese government announced that a specialized committee was formed for that purpose.

In a preliminary step the Lebanese Health Ministry on Saturday announced a series of preventive protective measures for the safety of citizens, especially children, and stressed that the best way to ensure such a safety is to watch the Eclipse via the television.

Algerian radio on Sunday instructed Algerians not to look directly to the sun during the Eclipse, which will last for more than one hour.

The Algerian radio explained that the eclipse will start at 10 a.m. and reach its peak at 11.23 a.m.. In a statement the Algerian Health Ministry said that looking at the sun during the eclipse would result in total blindness and that ordinary sunglasses can provide no protection for the eyes.

Mosul city in Iraq will be the only city in the region which will see a total Eclipse on August 11.