The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has decided to lift its nationwide coronavirus lockdown next June 21, except in the holy city of Mecca, after more than two months of tightened restrictions, amid Coronavirus outbreak.
In an official statement, the Saudi Interior Ministry added that prayers will also be allowed to resume in all mosques outside Mecca from May 31.
The kingdom, which has reported the highest number of virus cases in the Gulf, imposed a full nationwide lockdown during Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
Moreover, the ministry revealed that it will begin easing restrictions in a phased manner this week, with the curfew relaxed between 6 am and 3 pm between Thursday and Saturday.
"From Sunday until June 20, the curfew will be further eased until 8 pm," the statement added.
The kingdom will lift the lockdown entirely from June 21.
Authorities are yet to announce whether they will proceed with this year's hajj -- scheduled for late July -- but they have urged Muslims to temporarily defer preparations for the annual pilgrimage.
It is worth mentioning that, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus a global pandemic as the new virus has rapidly spread from Asia to the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.
People across the globe partake in self-isolation as an effective precautionary measure to protect those around them and themselves from contracting COVID-19.
Transmission of virus between humans happens when someone comes into contact with an infected person’s secretions, such as droplets in a cough.
They can also be transmitted by coming into contact with something an infected person has touched and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
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