Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia suspends work in private sectors for 15 days

Saudi Press Agency reports only exemptions in key industries such as health and food

Last updated: March 18, 2020 | 04:35

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A Saudi man, wearing a protective mask as a precaution against COVID-19 coronavirus disease, walks past a mural showing the face of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, along Tahlia street in the centre of the capital Riyadh

AFP

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Cairo: Saudi Arabia suspended work in private sectors except health and food services for 15 days, state news agency reported early on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia has reported 171 cases of coronavirus so far, and has taken measures to limit the spread of the pathogen, including closing mosques for daily prayers and announcing an extraordinary virtual G20 leaders summit next week.