Saudi Arabia will convene a virtual summit next week which will bring the members of the Group of 20 global economies (G20) together. The kingdom is taking more aggressive measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus within the country.
Saudi Arabia announced that mosques will no longer be open for the customary five daily prayers or Friday congregations. The death toll from the covid-19 in the country is now at 171.
It also suspended work in the private sector, with the exception of health and food services, for 15 days. Saudi has previously suspended work for government employees, except in the health, military and security sectors.
The virtual leaders’ summit next week will “put forward a coordinated set of policies to protect people and safeguard the global economy”.
More than 1,000 cases have been recorded in the US-Allied Gulf States. Many were linked to traveling to neighboring Iran, the epicenter of the outbreak in the Middle East.
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Oman, which reported nine new cases for a total of 33, is also closing mosques, restaurants, coffee shops, tourist sites, traditional markets and malls from Wednesday. Grocery stores and pharmacies are to remain open. It will bar foreigners from entering, and nationals from leaving, state television said.
Qatar, with three new cases bringing the total to 442, has closed shops not selling food or pharmaceuticals. It has also closed part of the industrial zone for at least two weeks, the government spokeswoman said.
According to Aljazeera, Saudi Arabia has taken radical steps to try to slow down the spread of the virus. It has suspended addresses for the Umrah pilgrimage, stopped international flights, and closed schools and most public establishments.
In addition, prayers will continue only at two holy mosques, Mecca and Medina.
The central bank said it has activated business continuity plans and work-from-home measures for financial institutions. The Council of Ministers has postponed its regular meetings for two weeks, according to reports.
