Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia plans up to 200,000 cases in a few weeks

Saudi Arabia predicts up to 200,000 cases of coronavirus contamination in a few weeks, Saudi Minister of Health said on Tuesday April 7

"Studies predict that in the next few weeks the number of cases will range from a minimum of 10,000 to a maximum of 200,000," said Minister Tawfiq al-Rabia, quoted by the official SPA agency.

The kingdom announced Monday the extension of a total 24-hour curfew, already in effect in some cities, to several other parts of the territory, including the capital, to contain the pandemic in the Arab country most affected by the Gulf. .

Saudi Arabia, which officially announced more than 2,600 cases of infection including 38 deaths due to Covid-19, had imposed on April 2 a total curfew of 24 hours in the two holiest cities of Islam. , Mecca and Medina.

"A 24-hour curfew is instituted in the cities of Riyadh, Tabouk, Dammam, Dhahran, Hofouf as well as in the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, Qatif, Khobar," the interior ministry announced on Twitter, adding that "only exits for urgent needs, such as medical care or shopping, are allowed".

What about hajj?

The monarchy had previously taken significant restrictive measures, including the closure of non-essential public places and the abolition of the small Muslim pilgrimage, the "omra", in Mecca and Medina.

However, the authorities have not yet announced whether the great hajj pilgrimage will take place in this context. It is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, and this year is scheduled for late July.

Last week, however, the country called on Muslims around the world to suspend preparations for the hajj for the moment in the face of the uncertainties surrounding the pandemic.

With AFP

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