Saudi Arabia to Lift Nationwide Curfew, Resume Economic Activities from Sunday

Gulf

June 20th, 5:12pm

Asharq Al-Awsat

Volunteers disinfect a mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia will end a nationwide curfew and lift restrictions on businesses from Sunday morning after three months of lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Saturday. The curfew will be lifted as of 6 am local time on Sunday, said a source in the Interior Ministry. Restrictions will remain, however, for religious pilgrimages, international travel and social gatherings of more than 50 people. The Kingdom introduced stringent measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in March, including 24-hour curfews on most towns and cities. In May, it announced a three-phase plan to ease restrictions on movement and travel, culminating in the curfew completely ending on June 21. The number of coronavirus infections has risen in recent weeks following a relaxation of movement and travel restrictions on May 28. The Kingdom has recorded 154,223 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 1,230 deaths.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2345021/saudi-arabia-lift-nationwide-curfew-resume-economic-activities-sunday