Saudi Arabia registered on Wednesday 1,325 new coronavirus cases, with 15 percent detected among Saudis.
Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Mohammed Abdelali said the latest numbers take the Kingdom’s total cases to 21,402, including 18,292 active ones and 125 in critical condition.
Abdelali added that 169 more patients have recovered, raising the total to 2,953.
Five fatalities were reported and the death toll now stands at 157, he told a daily press briefing on the outbreak.
Saudis began tentatively returning to shopping malls and open-air markets on Wednesday after authorities relaxed restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Security guards took shoppers’ temperatures as a small number of visitors entered upscale malls in central Riyadh. A strong smell of sanitizer wafted through the homewares, cosmetic and clothing stores.
Many welcomed the semblance of normalcy after being cooped up at home due to curfews imposed since late March, especially with the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Friday.
The Kingdom on Sunday eased movement restrictions between 9 am and 5 pm except in Makkah. Schools, restaurants, mosques and other public venues where physical distancing is difficult to maintain remain closed and social gatherings of more than five people are banned.
“The reopening is being done in a limited way, it’s very well done so that we can get our essential goods,” said 22-year-old Faisal al-Qanas at Hayat Mall, according to Reuters.
“They’ve taken precautions - there are gloves, masks, they’re making sure people keep enough distance between each other,” said 19-year-old Nojod Alshammari, who was also visiting Hayat Mall.
Authorities urged shoppers to practice social distancing and recommended that children, the elderly and those with compromised immunity remain at home.
