Riyadh – Mubasher: Saudi Arabia will begin phasing out the curfew, imposed as a precautionary measurement against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), starting next Thursday.

On 28-30 May, the curfew’s exception time will be from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except for in the city of Makkah, state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported citing the Ministry of Interior. Moreover, local travel will be allowed but only in private cars.

Entities such as wholesale, retail shops, and shopping malls will continue to be exempted, while barbershops, beauty salons, gyms, health clubs, cinemas and recreational centres will continue to be closed.

From 31 May to 20 June, the allowed period during the curfew in all regions of Saudi Arabia, except the city of Makkah, will be changed to be from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

In addition, prayers in mosques, including on Fridays will be resumed, except for mosques in Makkah, however, Friday prayers will continue in the Great Holy Mosque with precautionary and preventive measures.

The said period will also see lifting the suspension of attendance in public entities and private sector companies, as well as lifting the suspension of domestic flights and other means of local transportation.

Moreover, some restaurants and cafes will be allowed to serve customers indoors, while applying the precautionary procedures.

Starting from 21 June 2020, the situation will return as normal in Saudi cities and regions, as it was before the curfew procedures, except for in the city of Makkah.

People will be allowed to walk in their neighbourhoods during curfew hours.

Meanwhile, the suspension of international flights will continue until further notice.

The Saudi government further called upon all residents and employers to adhere to precautionary and preventive measures.