Saudi Arabia said Tuesday that it will begin to end its nationwide coronavirus curfew this week, and completely phase out the curfews by June 21, according to comments from the Kingdom’s health minister Dr. Tawfig Al-Rabiah.
“Starting from Thursday, the kingdom will enter a new phase (in dealing with the pandemic) and will gradually return to normal based on the rules of social distancing,” Al-Rabiah said on Monday.
Dr. Tawfig Al-Rabiah, Saudi Minister of Health.
The new plan will allow for a three day period of transitioning to the new curfew system before it is removed.
Between Thursday, May 28 and Sunday, May 31, the curfew on all areas of the Kingdom will be eased, except in Mecca. Movement in cities and within the regions of the country will again be permitted, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The easing will mean the Kingdom’s 24-hour lockdown is relaxed with a curfew from 3 p.m to 6 a.m until Sunday, after which the hours will change to 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.. Mecca will remain under a full 24-hour lockdown.
Then, on June 21, all curfews in the Kingdom will be lifted and prayers at Mecca’s mosque will be permitted.
The gradual easing that begins Thursday ends a proactive and stringent period of government-mandated curfews and restrictions aimed at keeping Saudis safe during the global pandemic.
Saudi Arabia has reported around 75,000 coronavirus infections and some 400 deaths from COVID-19.
