Economic activity resumes in Saudi Arabia, curfew lifted

Economic activity resumes in Saudi Arabia, curfew lifted

After a three-month lockdown to control the coronavirus outbreak, Saudi Arabia is set to resume economic activity by lifting curfews across the country.

The state-run news agency SPA said on Saturday, citing a Home Ministry source, that restrictions on businesses in the country had been lifted since Sunday morning.

The curfew will be lifted from 6 am local time on that day. However, restrictions on a religious pilgrimage, international travel, and social gatherings of more than 50 people will remain in place.

Saudi Arabia has imposed strict restrictions since March to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. It also imposed a 24-hour curfew in most cities and towns in the country.

In May, a three-step plan was announced to ease restrictions on movement and travel. It said the curfew would be lifted from June 21.

Coronavirus infections have been on the rise since May 28 when travel restrictions were relaxed. The number of Kovid-19 patients identified in the country stood at one lakh 54 thousand 223 people and the total number of deaths was one thousand 230 people.

Saudi Arabia also plans to limit the number of Hajj participants to prevent further spread of the virus, officials familiar with the decision told Reuters earlier this month.

Although the Saudi Arabian government has not yet made a final decision on the Hajj, it has suspended the opportunity for foreigners to perform Umrah until further notice.