Saudi Arabia imposes 24-hour lockdown on Dammam

Part of the Kingdom's efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has imposed 24-hour lockdown on Dammam, the capital of the Kingdom’s Eastern Province, Al Arabiya reported.

The move comes as part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Although the authorities allowed movement for shipping and transporting goods, entry to or exit from the 2nd Industrial City was completely banned until further notice.

Industries considered vital will be allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity, with their managers, engineers and workers allowed to enter the facilities but barred from leaving the city.

However, the ministry lifted the lockdown previously imposed on the city's al-Atheer district on April 15, allowing residents to move around for essential needs from 9 AM till 5 PM.

Ramazan curfew

The Kingdom had revised its Covid-19 curfew timings for the holy month of Ramazan on April 21, allowing residents in all areas and cities not currently under a 24-hour lockdown to go out between 9 AM and 5 PM.

However, residents living in areas under a complete lockdown will only be allowed to go out for essential needs, such as grocery shopping or medical visits, between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM. Residents in these areas are ordered to stay within their neighborhoods

A 24-hour lockdown was previously imposed on the cities of Riyadh, Tabuk, Dammam, Dhahran, and Hofuf and throughout the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, Qatif, and Khobar.

The government had imposed a full lockdown on the holy cities of Mecca and Medina as well. Other cities and governorates had a curfew implemented from 3 PM to 6 AM everyday.