Curfew partially lifted across Saudi Arabia, but not from Makkah city

Curfew partially lifted across Saudi Arabia, but not from Makkah city

RIYADH: King Salman has ordered the partial lifting of the curfew across state, with the exception of the Heaven of Makkah and adjacent places previously isolated after a COVID-19 outbreak.

A royal decree carried by the Saudi news agency (SPA) early Sunday said the curfew is off from 9 o'clock within the morning to 5 o'clock within the afternoon, from April 26, 2020 to May 13, 2020.

Makkah and its neighborhood shall remain under 24-hour curfew, the decree said.

The new order was supported recommendations of relevant health authorities to enable the return of some economic activities and to alleviate citizens and residents.

Allowed to reopen starting 6 Ramadan 1441 AH (April 29 within the Gregorian calendar) until 20 Ramadan 1441 AH (May 13, 2020) are wholesale and retail trade stores, likewise as commercial centers or malls.

Contracting companies and factories are allowed to resume their activities "without restrictions on time, in line with the character of their business."

Not allowed to open are centers "that don't achieve physical distance, including: beauty clinics, barber salons, sports and health clubs, recreational centers, cinemas, beauty salons, restaurants, cafes and other activities determined by the competent authorities.

The decree instructed authorities chargeable for monitoring economic, commercial and industrial activities to form sure that the precautionary and preventive measures approved by the Ministry of Health and other competent authorities are complied with.

Law enforcers are instructed to form sure that "social distancing" is observed in any respect times, which social gatherings involving quite five people, like wedding events and parties shall remain disallowed.

The decree reminded the final public that the prescribed penalties are visiting be imposed on violators and facilities that violate the regulations and directions are visiting be closed line with established procedures.

Since COVID-19 was first discovered in Wuhan, China late last year, state has reported 16,299 COVID-19 cases, including 136 deaths. Some 2,214 patients were reported to have recovered up to now...

Worldwide, the quantity of cases neared 2.8 millions cases and so the quantity of deaths passed the 200,000 mark, with the US accounting for over 53,000, or quite 25 percent of the whole