No new COVID-19 cases registered in Jizan

No new case of the novel coronavirus has been recorded in the Saudi region of Jizan over the past 10 days, a local health official has said, as the kingdom is bracing for gradual restoration of normal life.

“The health situation in Jizan is reassuring,” head of the region’s health affairs Abdul Rahman Al Harbi, added. “All positive cases recorded during this period were linked to mixing with previously announced confirmed cases,” he added in a video conference with Governor of Jizan Prince Mohammad Bin Nasser Bin Abdul Aziz.

“The recently registered cases were under monitoring and follow-up,” Al Harbi added.

He urged citizens and foreign residents to continue abiding by preventive measures and social distancing rules to curb the spread of the infection.

Saudi authorities have enforced a string of strict precautions to contain the virus since March including closing mosques, a halt to religious trips to Mecca and Medina, and suspension of air travel.

On Tuesday, the kingdom has announced easing virus-related restrictions starting from next Sunday, including reopening mosques for group prayers except in Mecca, and lifting a ban on domestic flights and allowing employees to report back to government agencies and private businesses.