Coronavirus: 24-hour curfew imposed in Makkah, Madina

Riyadh - Cars in residential districts in these cities can only carry one passenger at a time.

Saudi Arabia imposed a 24-hour curfew in the Muslim holy cities of Makkah and Medina on Thursday, extending measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 1,700 people in the Kingdom and killed 16.

The interior ministry said in a statement there were some exceptions, including for essential workers and in order for residents to buy food and access medical care. Cars in those cities' residential districts may only carry one passenger to limit the virus' transmission, it said.

The country of 30 million has taken drastic steps to contain the disease, halting international flights, closing most public places, and suspending the year-round umrah pilgrimage. On Tuesday, it urged Muslims to delay plans for the annual Haj pilgrimage pending more clarity about the pandemic.

Restrictions on movement have tightened, with entry and exit to Riyadh, Makkah, Medina and Jeddah heavily restricted. Some neighbourhoods in Makkah and Medina were already under full lockdown, but in the rest of those cities the curfew was previously from 3pm to 6am.

Official source at the Ministry of Interior: Full 24-hour curfew imposes in Makkah and Madinah starting from today until further notice.#SPAGOV
- SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) April 2, 2020

• Saudi Arabia