Manama: Saudi Arabia imposed a 24-hour curfew in the cities of Makkah and Madinah on Thursday in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19), as the number of deaths rose to 21.
The curfew came to effect on Thursday in all parts of Makkah and Madinah, banning entry and exit from both cities, which will remain in force until further orders, ministry of interior said on Twitter.
These cities were earlier under a 15-hour curfew. The government decided to clamp full day curfew on the entire parts of these cities after they have seen a spike in corona infections.
All commercial activities inside the residential neighbourhoods of the two cities were closed, except for pharmacies, food groceries, gas stations and banks, Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub, the Ministry of Interior spokesman, said.
The curfew does not apply to essential workers who were previously exempted, such as security, military and media. And residents of the two cities are allowed to leave their homes for essential needs such as food and hospitals, within their districts from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Only one passenger is allowed in a car.
The 24-hour curfew was announced by Interior Minister Abdul Aziz Bin Saud Al Saud. He emphasised that security authorities will show no leniency towards curfew violators, and instructed all to adhere to the new measures imposed to safeguard the safety of everyone.
The Saudi government has already lockdown Makkah, Madina, Riyadh and Jeddah, which is still in effect. Residents are still banned from entering or exiting the cities.
Saudi Arabia has registered 1,885 infections and 21 deaths, the most in the Arabian countries. In order to curb to spread of the virus, it has already halted international and domestic flights, suspended the umrah pilgrimage, halted public transport, and closed public places.
Qatif governorate in the eastern province, where the kingdom’s first coronavirus cases were reported, has been on temporary lockdown since March 8.
