COVID-19: Saudi town reopens after brief lockdown

Cairo: Roads leading to a Saudi town and local mosques have been reopened, a day after they were closed due to the detection of several new coronavirus cases there, Saudi online newspaper Sabq reported Thursday.

Authorities in the town of Saeeda Sawalha, north-east of the Asir region, ordered closing entrances and exits of the town and halting group prayers inside the local mosques on Tuesday due to the spread of the virus, the paper added, citing local sources.

Later, directives were issued to reopen the roads and remove blocking barriers, allowing the return of life to normal in the town.

Mosques reopened their doors Wednesday evening and worshippers performed the Isha prayers in line with health precautions in place against COVID-19.

Late last month, Saudi authorities embarked on the implementation of a phased plan for the gradual return of normal life, easing some virus-related restrictions. They included reopening mosques across the kingdom, except in the holy city of Mecca, resuming domestic flights, and allowing work attendance.