Saudi Arabia has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Makkah and Medina, to further control the coronavirus spread in the holy cities. The directive announced by the Suadi Interior Ministry on Thursday will be valid until further orders.
The 24-hour curfew will be imposed in all parts of the cities of Makkah and Medina, with a ban on entry and exit from both cities.
Employees of vital sectors (both public and private) will be exempted from the ban on entry and exit from the city, the ministry said.
#عاجل
وزارة الداخلية : منع ممارسة العمل بأي أنشطة تجارية داخل الأØياء السكنية بمدينتي مكة المكرمة والمدينة المنورة، عدا عمل الصيدليات ومØلات بيع المواد التموينية ومØطات الوقود والخدمات البنكية.#كلنا_مسؤول #واس_عام— واس العام (@SPAregions) April 2, 2020
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Meanwhile, residents will be allowed to leave their homes to meet only basic needs, such as health care and food supplies between 6 am and 3 pm every day.
The government has also suspended all commercial activities in residential neighborhoods of the two cities. Grocery stores, pharmacies, petrol stations and banking services will remain open for the given time.
The ministry also urged people of the holy cities to fulfill their responsibilities, follow instructions and isolation measures to protect the health of their loved ones.
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Successful implementation of curfew for a few weeks will save tens of thousands of lives, the ministry said.
Note that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken over the world. It has spread to over 200 countries, infecting nearly one million people and taking more than 49,000 lives.
