Saudi imposes curfew to tackle coronavirus

Saudi Arabia has imposed a nationwide curfew starting on Monday after reporting a jump of almost a quarter in coronavirus cases.

Saudi King Salman ordered a curfew - from 7 pm to 6 am for 21 days - to slow the spread of the coronavirus, state news agency SPA reported on Monday. The curfew will take effect on Monday evening.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates will suspend all passenger and transit flights to and from the country.

The UAE said it will suspend all passenger and transit flights to and from the country for two weeks over coronavirus fears, state news agency WAM said on Monday. Cargo operations will continue.

The UAE's ministry of health has decided to close shopping and commercial centres, leaving open pharmacies and supermarkets, along with fish, vegetables and meat markets dealing with wholesalers, WAM reported. It will limit restaurants to delivery services.

Dhaka/Mukul