Saudi Arabia extends coronavirus lockdown until further notice

Saudi Arabia King Salman extended a nationwide curfew indefinitely due to the spread of the new coronavirus after the kingdom reported more than 300 new infections on each of the last four days.

Last week Saudi Arabia placed its capital Riyadh and other big cities under a 24-hour curfew, locking down much of the population to stem the spread of the virus.

Elsewhere, the curfew which began on March 23 runs from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The country of some 30 million has recorded 4,033 infections with 52 deaths, the highest among the six Gulf Arab states

The six Gulf Arab states have the total count has surpassed 13,200 with 88 deaths despite strict measures to curb transmissions.

The kingdom has halted international flights, suspended the year-round umrah pilgrimage, and closed most public places. Other Gulf states have taken similar precautions.

The interior ministry said all precautionary measures across Saudi Arabia’s 13 regions remain in place.

The eastern Qatif region, where its first coronavirus cases were reported among Shi’ite Muslim pilgrims returning from Iran, has been sealed off since March 8