Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary lockdown on its eastern Qatif area. It aims to prevent the spread of coronavirus after recording four more cases that raised the total to 11.
The move risks stirring resentment in Qatif. It has been a flash point between the Sunni-dominated Saudi government. A minority Shia in the country who complain of discrimination and marginalization, accusations the government denies.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry said on Sunday all the individuals diagnosed with the disease are from Qatif.
In addition, Saudi authorities have previously said those infected have either been to Iran or interacted with people who visited the Islamic Republic, home to important Shia holy sites. To emphasize this point, Saudi Arabia has banned travel to Iran.
Iran has emerged as an epicenter for the disease in the Middle East. There were 194 deaths from the virus on Sunday.
Vital Facilities
According to Reuters, the Saudi interior ministry said it temporarily halted movement in and out of the oil-producing Qatif region while ensuring returning residents could reach their homes and that commercial supplies to the province continue.
Quoted from ministry statement, “As a precautionary, work at all public and private institutions can prevent the spread of coronavirus. The exception addresses for vital facilities that provide security services and necessary provisions.”
At this point, the Saudi government restricted land crossings with the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain to commercial trucks only. The limitation of the passenger will be limited to three Saudi airports.
