Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia to ease curfew on June 21, except Mecca
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Saudi Arabia is one of the worst-hit countries in the gulf with 74,795 cases of COVID-19 with 399 deaths and more than 2,000 cases are still being reported daily.
Saudi Arabia will begin to ease the restrictions on movement and travel after imposing a strict lockdown for more than two months to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.
According to Saudi Arabia's state news agency, restrictions are scheduled to be lifted in three phases resulting at the end of the curfew in the country except for Mecca on June 21.
The Hajj and Umrah will remain suspended as it attracts millions of travellers.
Saudi Arabia is one of the worst-hit countries in the gulf with 74,795 cases of COVID-19 with 399 deaths and more than 2,000 cases are still being reported daily.
The first phase will begin on Thursday where the 24-hour curfew will be reduced to between 3 p.m. and 6 a.m. countrywide.
From Sunday onwards, free movement will be allowed between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., Saudi Press Agency reported.
Domestic flights will resume but the ban on international flights will stay.
Except for Mecca, mosques will resume prayers, subject to social distancing and hygiene measures.
All employees in the public and private sector will be allowed to return to their offices.
But the gathering of more than 50 people will still be banned and the citizens will be urged to wear masks in public and continue hygiene and social distancing measures after June 21.
Mecca will remain in the first phase until June 20 thereafter prayer will only be allowed to resume in mosques from June 21.