Saudi Arabia has extended a 24-hour curfew to all parts of five cities in the kingdom, including captial Riyadh, said a Saudi Press Agency report.

 

Other cities included in the Ministry of Ministry of Interior order are: Tabuk, Dammam, Dhahran and Hofuf. The curfew will also be extended throughout the provinces of Jeddah, Taif, Qatif and Khobar until further notice in an effort to combat the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

 

An official source at the Ministry of Interior stated that the move is in line with the implementation of the recommendations of the competent health authorities to raise the degree of precautionary measures and preventive measures to preserve the health and safety of citizens and residents, said a Saudi Press Agency report

 

However, the prohibition of entry and exit does not include employees of the vital areas in the public and private sectors.

 

The ministry said it is allowed - in the narrowest range - for residents to leave their homes to buy only the essential needs, such as medicines and food, within the residential neighbourhood in which they reside, and during the period from 6 am until 3 pm every day. Motor transportation within residential neighbourhoods during this period is limited to only one person, in addition to the driver, to reduce contact to the minimum.

 

The order prohibits any commercial activities, except for health facilities, pharmacies, foodstuff stores, petrol stations, gas stores, banking services, maintenance and operation works, plumbing works, electrical and air conditioning, water delivery services and sewage tanks.

 

A specialised committee in the Ministry of the Interior periodically reviews the excluded activities, and updates them continuously, according to an evaluation by the committee, it said.

 

The Ministry of the Interior urged people to leave homes, only if necessary, and use delivery services by smart device apps to request food and drug needs.