24-hour curfew in Makkah, Madinah
RIYADH, April 2, 2020
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior has announced a 24-hour curfew in all parts of the cities of Makkah and Madinah in line with the kingdom’s efforts to confront the novel coronavirus pandemic, and in implementation of the recommendations of competent health authorities.
The ban on entry into and exit from the two cities will also continue until further notice, the ministry said according to a Saudi Press Agency report. The ban of entry and exit exempts employees of vital sectors in government and private sectors.
The ministry's order also includes the following:
* Residents of the neighbourhoods of the cities of Makkah and Madinah are allowed to leave their homes to meet only necessary needs such as healthcare and food supplies, within neighborhoods in which they reside, from 6 am to 3 pm every day.
* Those wishing to use banking services and ATMs are allowed to do so according to a mechanism set by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Health.
* Any commercial activities within the residential neighbourhoods of the cities of Makkah and Madinah is prohibited, except for pharmacies and food supply stores, gas stations and banking services.
The Ministry of Interior called on all citizens and residents to use express delivery services through smart device applications, to request food and medicine needs and other excluded goods and services delivered to their homes.
