Saudi Arabia imposes lockdown in Riyadh, Makkah and Madinah

RIYADH (92 News) – Saudi Arabia has imposed lock down its capital Riyadh and Islamic holy cities of Makkah and Madinah to curb coronavirus pandemic. Saudi Arabia is set to expand its nationwide curfew, and has decided to implement a lockdown which will ban the entry to and exit from the capital Riyadh and the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah as part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. According to an official statement published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), “Residents of the 13 provinces of the kingdom will be banned from leaving them or moving to other areas,” adding that the entry and exit from the three cities “will be banned in accordance with the limits defined by the competent authorities.” The lockdown is to take effect from 3pm until the end of the 21-day curfew, which began on Monday, and is to be extended by four hours. The initial plan was that it would begin at 7pm. It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia has reported 767 confirmed cases of the virus, with one death. Ever since the outbreak of the respiratory virus, which originated in China and spread into the Middle East last month, increased measures have been taken by countries in the region to tackle the pandemic, with measures ranging from the shutting down of schools and universities, congregational prayers at mosques no longer being held, and extended curfews and lockdowns in order to self-quarantine. International travel has also been banned to many parts of the world more vulnerable to the virus.