Coronavirus in Saudi Arabia: curfew lifted across the country except in Mecca

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In Saudi Arabia, the restrictions put in place to stem the spread of the coronavirus were lifted this Sunday, June 21. However, the number of new Covid-19 positive cases registered daily in the kingdom remains high.

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From our correspondent in the region, Nicolas Keraudren

While among its neighbors to the Gulf, Saudi Arabia is the country most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic , with more than 1,200 deaths for 150,000 contaminations, the kingdom is preparing for a "  return to normal  ".

This Sunday, June 21, the Saudi authorities lifted the curfew that had been implemented on April 8 in major cities of the country, except in Mecca.

Economic and commercial activities were allowed to resume normally, subject to certain conditions such as the ban on gatherings of more than 50 people. The mosques in the holy city of Mecca can also welcome the faithful again after three months of closure .

► Also read: Gulf monarchies and the coronavirus

This decision comes a few weeks before the start of the great Muslim pilgrimage planned for the end of July, which attracts millions of faithful each year.

The Minister of Hajj, Mohammed Banten, had however asked last April to Muslims who wanted to go to Mecca or Medina to "  wait  " before booking their trip . Because the land, air and sea borders are still closed in Saudi Arabia.

But last week, a spokesman for the General Civil Aviation Authority (Gaca) said that the reopening is currently under consideration.

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• Coronavirus
• Saudi Arabia

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