Saudi Arabia to ease coronavirus restrictions on Thursday

Tuesday, 26 May 2020 10:36

Saudi Arabia will begin easing lockdown measures on Thursday, more than two months after they were introduced to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

That's according to the state news agency SPA, which said restrictions will be lifted in three phases with curfew completely removed from all locations, except Mecca, from June 21.

During the first phase, which runs from Thursday, May 28, to Sunday, May 31, movement will be allowed between 6:00 am and 3:00 pm. After which, it'll fall between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm.

Wholesale and retail shops and malls will be allowed to operate, as well as cafes.

However, beauty salons, barbershops, sports and health clubs, recreational centers and cinemas will remain closed.

Umrah pilgrimage and international flights will continue to remain suspended, until further review.

More from International News

Iran and Israel say they have halted strikes for now

Iran and Israel said on Monday they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from US President Donald Trump that they immediately "stop shooting", though Tehran said it would resume strikes if Israel continued to hit Lebanon.
Israel hits Iran petrochemical plant in new strikes despite Trump reprimand

Israel said on Monday it hit a petrochemical plant in Iran's southwest, along with strikes elsewhere on military targets, after US President Donald Trump reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from further attacks.
At least 32 dead after 7.8-magnitude earthquake strikes Philippines

The death toll in a powerful 7.8‑magnitude earthquake off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday has risen to at least 32 with dozens of people injured, disaster officials said, as Manila stepped up search and rescue operations.
Flags, gun salute greet China's Xi on arrival in North Korea for summit

Ties between China and North Korea are at a "new historical starting point", President Xi Jinping said on Monday in remarks published in the neighbour's state media as he arrived in Pyongyang for a rare summit with leader Kim Jong Un.
Iraq, Syria announce temporary closure of airspace

Iraq and Syria's civil aviation authorities have announced the temporary closure of their airspace as a precautionary measure following regional tensions.

On Virgin Radio today

Non Stop Hits
Midnight - 6:00am

The UAE's #1 Hit Music Station with no interruptions
The Kris Fade Show
6:00am - 10:00am

Kris, Priti and Rossi host the UAE's biggest radio show. It's full of fun, laughs and it's Where The Stars Live.