Riyadh: Saudi Arabia suspended on Sunday people from entering or leaving Qatif region in the Eastern Province as precautionary measures against COVID-19.
An official from the interior ministry highlighted the reason in a statement in the Saudi Press Agency saying “the temporary decision was taken because all the 11 infected cases are from Qatif.”
The education ministry announced on Saturday the suspension of all schools, institutes and universities in the region for two weeks for the safety of students.
The official said that the decision complies with international practices to deal with the situation to prevent outbreak.
Residents of the region would stay at their homes, while all government and private organizations would close down, except essential places such as pharmacies, grocery stores, fuel stations and health, municipal and security utilities.
The decision will also exclude commercial and food supply transportation that would be allowed to enter and leave the area.
Meanwhile, the health ministry announced on Sunday the infection of four citizens. Three female citizens of the four were infected through direct contact with previously announced cases and the fourth is a male citizen who arrived from Iran via the United Arab Emirates. Thus, the number of confirmed cases inside the kingdom rose to 11. (Xinhua)
