Saudi Arabia to lift COVID-19 curfew, except for Makkah, from June 21

Saudi Arabia will end its coronavirus curfew starting Sunday, June 21, except for Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency reported, citing a Ministry of Interior official on Tuesday.

Movement restrictions will be lifted in three phases, as follows:

First: From Thursday, May 28 until May 30, curfew will be reduced across the Kingdom, except for the holy city of Makkah, and free movement will be allowed from 6am to 3pm. The decision will apply to Makkah from May 31 to June 20.  

Traveling will be allowed between all regions and cities in Saudi Arabia by private car.

Some retail and wholesale activities, including malls, will be allowed to resume.

All activities that do not ensure physical distance will continue to be prohibited, including beauty salons, barber salons, sports and health clubs, recreational centers, cinemas, and other activities determined by the competent authorities.

Second: From Sunday, May 31 to Saturday, June 20, the free movement time in all regions of Saudi Arabia, except for Makkah, will be changed from 6am to 8pm. The decision will apply to Makkah, as of June 21.

Mosques will hold prayers in all regions, except for Makkah, amid precautionary and preventive measures. All prayers will be also performed in the Grand Mosque amid current health and precautionary measures.

Attendance suspension will be lifted and employees will be allowed to return to offices in the ministries, government agencies and private sector companies.

Suspension will be lifted on domestic flights, while adhering to the necessary precautionary and preventive measures determined by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). International flights will remain suspended until further notice

Suspension will be lifted on travel across regions by different means of transportation, with commitment of the competent authorities to the precautionary and preventive measures.

Some economic and commercial activities will be resumed in the following fields:

-Indoor orders in restaurants amid precautionary procedures imposed by the competent authorities.

-Indoor orders in cafes amid precautionary procedures laid down by the competent authorities.

On the other hand, all activities that do not ensure physical distance will continue to be prohibited, including: beauty salons, barber salons, sports and health clubs, recreational centers, cinemas, and other activities determined by the competent authorities.

Social distancing procedures will continue in public places at all times, and gatherings for social purposes for more than 50 people will be prevented.

Third: From Sunday, June 21, all regions and cities of Saudi Arabia will return to normal life, except for Makkah, with full compliance with the preventive health measures and social distancing.

Movement permits for necessary, emergency and other situations during the curfew time are obtained through the approved paper authorization form, electronic permits, (Tawakkalna) application.

Residents of neighborhoods will be allowed to practice walk sports in their neighborhoods when movement is allowed, while adhering to the necessary precautionary health measures and social distancing.

Umrah and visits will continue to be suspended.

All the above measures are subject to assessment and periodical review by the Ministry of Health.

Penalties will be imposed on individuals and facilities that do not comply with the measures adopted to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

From May 28, some retail and wholesale activities, including malls, will be allowed to resume

Saudi mosques will hold prayers in all regions, except for Makkah, amid precautionary and preventive measures.

Grand Mosque will hold prayers amid the current health and precautionary measures

Employees in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to return to offices in the ministries, government agencies and private sector companies.

Social gatherings of more than 50 people will still be banned, including weddings and funerals.

Makkah will allow free movement from 6am to 3pm starting May 31 until June 20, and free movement from 6am to 8pm, starting Sunday, June 21.