DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior implemented a 24-hour curfew in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah on Thursday to limit the spread of coronavirus, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Under the curfew, which will be enforced until further notice, residents will be allowed to leave their houses for medical care and to obtain food supplies in their respective neighborhoods from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m.
A maximum of two people will be allowed to travel in one car at a time - the driver and the person going out to buy food or obtain medical care.
The ministries of health and interior will work with the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority to set up procedures for the use of banking services and ATMs.
Groups which were previously excluded from the curfew, such as workers in the health industry, will still be allowed to leave for work.
All commercial activities in the two cities – apart from pharmacies, supermarkets, banks and petrol stations – will be stopped.
Authorities called on residents to protect children and only allow adults to leave the house, and advised them to use delivery services for groceries and food as much as possible.
Holy cities of Makkah, Madinah under 24-hour curfew in virus clampdown
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Holy cities of Makkah, Madinah under 24-hour curfew in virus clampdown
- Residents can leave houses for medical care and food supplies in their neighborhoods from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m.
- Authorities asked residents to protect children and only let adults leave the house
King Abdulaziz Foundation reveals rare images from king’s 1916 Basra visit
- Photographs form part of a wider collection documented by British photographer Gertrude Bell
RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Foundation has revealed archival photographs documenting King Abdulaziz’s tour of the outskirts of Basra in 1916, a visit that came at an early stage of his efforts to build regional relationships.
One of the photographs, taken by British photographer Gertrude Bell, shows King Abdulaziz standing with his men in the Basra desert, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The image reflects his early political and diplomatic engagement in the region, as he sought to strengthen ties with neighboring areas and engage with the wider Arab and international community, SPA added.
The photograph forms part of a wider collection documented by Bell, which records key developments and transformations across the Arabian Peninsula during the early 20th century.
The Basra visit holds particular significance in King Abdulaziz’s journey as a unifying leader.
Rather than crossing borders in pursuit of power, the visit reflected an approach focused on stability, cooperation and long-term regional harmony, laying the groundwork for a leadership style defined by pragmatism and openness, SPA said.
