Saudi Arabia imposes 24 hours curfew in Mecca and Medina over Coronavirus

New Delhi: Saudi Arabia on Thursday extended curfew restrictions on Islam’s two holiest cities to 24 hours to prevent further spreading of Covid-19. Till now, 21 people have died due to Coronavirus.

“Full 24-hour curfew in Mecca and Medina starting from today until further notice,” the official Saudi Press Agency reported, citing an interior ministry source.

The cities were earlier under a 15-hour daily curfew.

The announcement came amid uncertainty over the hajj which is due to take place at the end of July.

Curfew in Jeddha over Coronavirus pandemic

Saudi administration has already sealed off Mecca and Medina along with Riyadh and Jeddah.

The provincial capital, Jeddah, is the second-largest city of the country and has a population of nearly four million people.

In a bid to stop the spread of the virus, Saudi Arabia has already banned domestic and international flights and prohibited citizens from attending workplaces until further notice.

According to Saudi Health Ministry, the number of Coronavirus cases has escalated above in the country.