Saudi Arabia has imposed a 24-hour curfew in the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The aim is to extend measures to combat the novel coronavirus. While other Gulf Arab states locked down districts with large migrant worker populations.
The Saudi interior ministry stipulated exceptions. Essential workers and for residents allow to buy food and access medical care. Cars may only carry one passenger.
Saudi Arabia has recorded 1,885 infections and 21 deaths, the most in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
According to Aljazeera, the international flights has halted. It impacted to the Umrah pilgrimage which need to suspend its departure. The prohibition goes for the most public places to prevent the spread of the virus. In addition, there was heavily restricted to the internal movement.
Some 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world usually flock to Mecca and Medina cities for the week-long ritual. The pilgrimage is also a significant source of income for the kingdom.
According to Aljazeera, the limitation also goes for the entry and exit to Riyadh, Mecca, Medina and Jeddah. In addition, some neighborhoods in Mecca and Medina were already under full lockdown. But, in the rest of those cities, the curfew was previously from 3 pm to 6 am.
Migrant Worker Districts Locked Down
In other Gulf Arab states, lockdowns targeted neighborhoods with large numbers of low-wage foreign laborers.
According to Aljazeera, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday sealed off Al Ras, an area famous for its gold and spice souqs and where many migrant workers reside.
Millions of migrant workers, mainly from Asian countries like Nepal, India and the Philippines, are among the large expatriate population in the six Gulf states. The confirmed infections have risen to above 4,700, with 36 deaths. All in all, the area in Saudi Arabia was completely locking down to help curb the outbreak.
