Saudi Arabia will defeat the coronavirus pandemic and “the country is heading toward the good,” Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an exchange of Eid Al-Fitr greetings with senior government officials, Arab News reported.
The crown prince, who is also the Kingdom’s defense minister, was speaking during a video call with ministry staff and his deputy minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman.
“What pains me this Eid is that it’s a day of joy and it’s our duty as Muslims to rejoice, and I couldn’t be with you today,” he said. “But the bad conditions will pass, God willing, and we are heading toward the good, God willing. This is thanks to the fortitude of the men of Saudi Arabia, both military and civilians.”
The Kingdom celebrated the first two days of Eid under a 24-hour lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19, but restrictions will be eased from Thursday, Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said on Monday.
“After five months, people have shown a high amount of responsibility in practicing social distancing,” the minister said. “Extreme measures, taken early, helped us to take control of the pandemic.”
“The lockdown will ease in phases, beginning on Thursday, and expanding based on reports of virus infections,” Al-Rabiah said. “I urge people to take preventive measures while going outside, covering their face and hands.”
The Kingdom recorded 2,235 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, taking the total to 74,795, and the death toll rose by nine to 399. Worldwide the virus has infected more than 5.5 million people and killed nearly 350,000.
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