Saudi Arabia to ease coronavirus restrictions on Thursday

Tuesday, 26 May 2020 10:36

Saudi Arabia will begin easing lockdown measures on Thursday, more than two months after they were introduced to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

That's according to the state news agency SPA, which said restrictions will be lifted in three phases with curfew completely removed from all locations, except Mecca, from June 21.

During the first phase, which runs from Thursday, May 28, to Sunday, May 31, movement will be allowed between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm. After which, it'll fall between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm.

Wholesale and retail shops and malls will be allowed to operate, as well as cafes.

However, beauty salons, barbershops, sports and health clubs, recreational centers and cinemas will remain closed.

Umrah pilgrimage and international flights will continue to remain suspended, until further review.

More from International News

Race to reach trapped survivors offers hope in Colombia quake zone

Rescuers raced in Colombia on Friday to free four people from a collapsed hotel, a rare sign of hope nearly four days after one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the Andean nation in decades left hundreds dead or missing.
France's top court blocks social media ban for under-15s

France's top court on Friday blocked a bill banning social media access for under-15s, saying it infringed upon freedom of expression and delivering a setback for President Emmanuel Macron, who asked his government to rewrite the legislation.
Japan's record rains strand thousands at Narita airport; kill eight

Record rainfall in Japan stranded thousands of travellers at Tokyo's Narita airport on Friday, bringing floods to the surrounding area that disrupted transport, knocked out power to 20,000 homes and killed eight.
Wildfires in Britain hit record levels after homes burn in intense heat

Wildfires in England and Wales have hit a record level, fire chiefs said on Friday, warning that rescue services were battling to keep up with rising risks a day after fires raced from tinder-dry fields to engulf houses on the hottest day of the year.