Saudi Arabia closes malls, restaurants, cafes and parks over coronavirus

Kingdom has taken some of most drastic steps among Gulf Arab states to contain COVID-19 spread

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia ordered the closure on Sunday of malls, restaurants, coffee shops and public parks and gardens, while exempting supermarkets, pharmacies and food delivery, in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Several local municipalities tweeted the directives, which Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said would apply across the country, where 103 infections but no deaths have been reported.

The orders appeared to go into effect immediately. A diner in Riyadh told Reuters the restaurant she had been sitting in shuttered about 45 minutes before the announcement was made.

Saudi Arabia has taken some of the most drastic steps among Gulf Arab states by halting international passenger flights, cancelling the umrah pilgrimage and locking down its eastern Qatif region, where many cases are centred.