Manama: Saudi Arabia placed its two more governorates, Samtah and Al Dayer in Jizan region, under a 24-hour curfew to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
Entry to or exit from the governorates will not be allowed, except for vital workers. Residents are allowed to leave their homes for medical or food needs, within their residential area between 6 am and 3 pm only, the Ministry of Interior said.
The curfew does not apply to essential workers who were previously exempted. Only one passenger is allowed in a car.
It will continue in force till further orders, ministry said.
All commercial activities were closed, except for pharmacies, food groceries, water delivery, gas stations and banks, the ministry added.
The Ministry of Interior urged adults to keep their children at home to protect them from virus infection, and to use delivery services for essential needs.
Saudi Arabia has so far recorded 8,274 confirmed coronavirus cases and 92 deaths as of Saturday, according to the Ministry of Health.
The governorates of Jeddah, Taif, Qatif and al-Khobar and the cities of Riyadh, Tabuk, Dammam, Dhahran and Al-Hofuf have been under full day curfew since April 7.
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. The nationwide partial curfew was extended until further orders starting 13 April.
Meanwhile, the unified travel permits that intend for the exempted category during curfew hours to be implemented across Kingdom, ministry of interior said. The new unified travel permit will be valid all over the Kingdom regions, and will take effect from 3.00 pm local time on Tuesday, ministry added
