Saudi Arabia to end virus curfew next month

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FILE PHOTO: A Saudi jeweller wearing a protective face mask arranges gold jewels at a jewellery store during the holy month of Ramadan, after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 5, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A Saudi jeweller wearing a protective face mask arranges gold jewels at a jewellery store during the holy month of Ramadan, after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 5, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri/File Photo

Saudi Arabia said Tuesday it will end its nationwide coronavirus curfew from June 21, except in the holy city of Makkah, after more than two months of stringent curbs, AFP reports.

Prayers will also be allowed to resume in all mosques outside Makkah from May 31, the interior ministry said in a series of measures announced on state media.

Saudi Arabia, which has reported the highest number of coronavirus cases in the Gulf, imposed a full nationwide curfew during Eid-ul-Fitr.

A Saudi jeweller wearing a protective face mask arranges gold jewels at a jewellery store during the holy month of Ramazan, after the outbreak of Covid-19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 5, 2020. — Reuters
A Saudi jeweller wearing a protective face mask arranges gold jewels at a jewellery store during the holy month of Ramazan, after the outbreak of Covid-19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 5, 2020. — Reuters

The ministry said it will begin easing restrictions in a phased manner this week, with the curfew relaxed between 6 am and 3 pm between Thursday and Saturday.

Saudi Arabia has reported around 75,000 coronavirus infections and some 400 deaths from Covid-19.

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