Saudi imposes 24-hour curfew in Makkah, Madina
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia imposed a 24-hour curfew in the Muslim holy cities of Makkah and Madina on Thursday, extending measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 1,700 people in the kingdom and killed 16.
The interior ministry said in a statement there were some exceptions, including for essential workers and in order for residents to buy food and access medical care. Cars in those cities’ residential districts may only carry one passenger to limit the virus’ transmission, it said.
The country of 30 million has taken drastic steps to contain the disease, halting international flights, closing most public places, and suspending the year-round Umrah pilgrimage.
On Tuesday, it asked Muslims to put plans for the annual Hajj pilgrimage on hold pending more clarity about the pandemic.
Restrictions on movement have tightened, with entry and exit to Riyadh, Makkha, Madina and Jeddah heavily restricted. Some neighbourhoods in Makkha and Madina were already under full lockdown, but in the rest of those cities the curfew was previously from 1500 to 0600.
The eastern oil-producing province of Qatif, where the kingdom’s first coronavirus cases were reported last month among Shi’ite Muslim pilgrims returning from Iran, has been on lockdown for nearly four weeks.
Saudi Arabia has the most infections and deaths among the six-member Gulf Co-operation Council, but public health officials say past experience combating the Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome (MERS) helped prepare the kingdom for the new coronavirus outbreak.
Saudi Arabia has ordered the closure of malls, restaurants, coffee shops and other public spaces to combat the virus, boosting online business opportunities for large retailers.
The curfew and other restrictions have altered the rhythm of daily life in the country of some 30 million, many of whom enjoy late-night gatherings at coffee shops or private homes.
Nasif Erisik, a Turkish resident who plays cards most nights with friends at one of their homes, said the group has resorted to online gaming to keep in touch.
“Unfortunately, corona has impacted our lives. It changed our habits and everything in our lives,” he told Reuters.
The authorities have said curfew-breakers would be fined 10,000 riyals ($2,665) and repeat offenders could be jailed for up to 20 days.