Clarion India
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia announced a “two-phase normalization plan” early on Thursday for the holy city of Makkah with the aim of easing Coronavirus measures and gradually returning to normal life.
According to reports, the Saudi Interior Ministry said in a statement that the first phase will begin on May 31, in which entering and exiting Makkah will be allowed between 6 a.m. to 3 p.m..
Friday prayers and other congregational prayers at the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) will continue in line with existing health measures, the statement said.
The second phase will begin on June 21, in which citizens will be allowed outside between 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The statement also said that coiffeurs and barbers will not be allowed to open yet while weddings and funerals can be attended by 50 people at most.
The novel Coronavirus has spread to at least 188 countries and regions after its emergence in December last in China with more than 5.6 million confirmed infections globally with nearly 355,000 deaths.
More than 2.3 million people have also recovered.