On Sunday, Saudi Arabia lifted the nationwide curfew related to coronavirus, while also ended all the restrictions on economic activities. However, the country did not lift the ba on international flights and religious pilgrimages.
The partial nationwide curfew started on May 31, between 8 PM to 6 AM, but Jeddah was under a stricter curfew from 3 PM to 6 AM since June 6 due to the sharp increases in infections in the city.
In the period, restrictions were imposed on working from offices, dining in restaurants and cafes, gatherings in mosques for prayer, and on movement between regions and cities.
At the moment, the restrictions have been largely lifted but with calls to abide by the social distancing rules and precautionary measures.
International flights, along with the entry and exit to and from the country via all methods are still suspended. Domestic flights, which have been restarted since May 31 are having no changes.
At the moment, Islamic Umrah pilgrimages and the visiting of holy sites also remain suspended with a regular review of their resumption. Saudi has not announced the plan regarding the annual Hajj pilgrimage that is due to begin in late-July.
The lifting of the nationwide curfew is part of the third and final step of a roadmap unveiled by the government late in May, aimed at reopening the economy. The decision would also impact the oil demand in the region.
According to the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (Jodi), on the first curfew month in April, Saudi gasoline demand fell by 46% month-on-month at 231,000 bpd, also the lowest monthly average since the recording started in 2002. Demand for gasoil slumped by 12% month-on-month to 458,000 bpd.
In 2019, on average, Saudi consumed 550,000 bpd of gasoline and 529,000 bpd of gasoil.
