Saudi Arabia to ease coronavirus restrictions on Thursday

FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP

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

  • Egypt makes new proposal to restore Gaza ceasefire deal

    Egypt made a new proposal last week aimed at restoring the Gaza ceasefire deal, security sources said on Monday. The proposal follows an escalation in violence after Israel resumed air and ground operations against Hamas last Tuesday, effectively ending a two-month period of relative calm.

  • Kremlin says Ukraine Black Sea grain deal was not fulfilled

    Russia and the United States will discuss resuming a deal to ensure the safety of merchant shipping in the Black Sea, the Kremlin said on Monday, noting that what Moscow saw as key parts of an earlier agreement on the subject were never implemented.

  • One killed in suspected ramming attack in northern Israel

    One man was killed and another wounded in a suspected attack on Sunday in northern Israel when a man rammed his vehicle into a bus stop, then stabbed another man and fired shots at passing motorists, emergency services said.

  • Israeli strike at Gaza hospital kills 5

    An airstrike at Nasser Hospital in Gaza's Khan Younis on Sunday killed five people, including a Hamas political leader, as Israel launched an all-out air and ground campaign against Hamas.

  • South Korea reinstates impeached PM Han Duck-soo as acting president

    South Korea's Constitutional Court reinstated Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to the post of acting president on Monday, striking down his impeachment as he pledged to focus on steering Asia's fourth-biggest economy through a US "trade war".

Coming Up on Dubai Eye

  • The Music Mix

    11:00pm - 6:00am

    Enjoy your favourite music back to back commercial free, tune in to the Music Mix everyday from 1 until 2 for the music you love and the news updates you need

  • The Business Breakfast

    6:00am - 10:00am

    The Business Breakfast is the day’s must listen for the UAE’s business leaders, and those who aspire to be.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST LATEST

On Dubai Eye

  • Is There Sufficient House Supply In UAE

    Dubai’s current population is more than double compared to almost twenty years ago, which now stands at 3.7 million. Lots of families are also moving to the UAE now. So what does it mean for the property market?

  • Noon's First Female Delivery Driver

    Glory Ehirim Nkiruka is Noon’s first ever female delivery driver. In her first ever interview, she explained why she loves her job, despite the heat!