JEDDAH — Authorities here have quarantined seven neighborhoods in the Jeddah governorate in an effort to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior. The areas include Kilo 14 North, Kilo 14 South, Al-Mahjar, Ghulail, Al-Qurayat, Kilo 13 and Petromin. A curfew was implemented in the area and residents can only go out for grocery shopping and medical care between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Residents in the Kingdom were banned from entering or exiting the Jeddah governorate as of Sunday last week and the measure is still in effect. The curfew exemptions still apply to those in vital public and private sectors such as security, military and media. Those who work in health services are also excluded from the curfew. Saudi Arabia has taken several measures to combat the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus since the outbreak of the disease first began earlier this year, with only three deaths being recorded so far. Malls and parks were shut down earlier this month in an effort to slow the spread of the deadly virus, and restaurants and cafes have been banned from serving food and beverages on their premises. Employees at most government agencies have been told to work from home for a period of 16 days, excluding the health, security, and military sectors.
