Saudi Arabia on Thursday declared a 24-hour lockdown in all parts of Makkah and Madina cities as part of measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

“The 24-hour curfew will be imposed in all parts of the cities of Makkah and Madina, with a ban on entry and exit from both cities,” the Saudi Interior Ministry said on Twitter.

The lockdown starts from Thursday “until further notice”.

All commercial activities inside the residential neighbourhoods of the two cities were also prohibited, except for pharmacies, food products stores, gas stations and banking services, the ministry said.

Cars may only carry one passenger, the statement added.

Saudi Arabia has recorded 1,720 infections and 16 deaths, the most in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).