Riyadh, April 06, 2020, SPA -- An official source at the Ministry of Interior has stated that, as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to confront coronavirus pandemic, and in implementation of the recommendations of competent health authorities to raise the degree of precautionary and preventive measures to preserve the health and safety of citizens and residents, the following measures have been decided: First: The curfew will be effective in all parts of the cities of Riyadh, Tabuk, Dammam, Dhahran, and Hafouf as well as throughout the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, Qatif and Khobar for a period of 24 hours a day, with continuing ban of entry into and exit from all cities and governorates, as of today until further notice. The ban on entry and exit movements does not include those already exempted, including employees of vital sectors in government and private sectors, whose work requires continued activity during the ban period as per the Royal Order No. 45942 dated on 2771441H. Second: Citizens and residents of the districts in the aforementioned cities and governorates are allowed, within the narrowest scope, to leave their homes to meet only necessary needs such as health care and food supplies, within districts in which they reside, during the period from 6:00 a.m. until 3:00 pm every day. Only one person in addition to the driver are allowed to move during the above-mentioned grace to reduce contacting with others, the order adds. Third: Practice of any commercial activities within the residential districts of the aforementioned cities and governorates is prohibited, except for pharmacies, food supply stores, gas stations, banking services, maintenance and operation, technicians of plumbing, electricity and air conditioning, water delivery services and sanitation tanks. A task team at the Ministry of the Interior periodically reviews the excluded activities and updates. The Ministry of Interior called upon everyone that exit from homes is for adults only and in necessary cases, to ensure that children are not exposed to the causes of transmission. The Ministry of Interior called on all citizens and residents to use express delivery services through smart device applications, to request food and medicine needs and other excluded goods and services delivered to their homes. The Ministry assured people that these measures were taken within the framework of the Kingdom's efforts to preserve public health and prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and that they are subject to continuous evaluation with relevant health authorities. It also called on everyone to sense individual responsibilities, follow instructions, and adhere to isolation measures for the public interest. --SPA 22:44 LOCAL TIME 19:44 GMT 0037 www.spa.gov.sa/w1302316