Dubai: Saudi Arabia reported 472 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 4934, the Ministry of Health announced on Monday.

According to the ministry of health the number of recoveries today are 44 cases, making total of recoveries in the kingdom 805.

The ministry also confirmed 6 deaths bringing the total number of deaths in the kingdom to 65.

Health minister told the confrence that “We found an increase in number of cases in crowded neighborhoods, so I call on all those living in these neighborhoods to commit to staying at home and applying the highest rates of precaution.”

Stressing “We want everyone’s commitment. We are facing a big challenge. Everyone must stay at home and not go out except for necessity. We are in one boat.”

On sunday the ministry said that 40,000 have been quarantined since the beginning of the epidemic, and only 7,000 remain in quarantine, including those who recently returned from abroad.

Early on Sunday, King Salman approved the extension of curfew until further notice due to current rates of coronavirus spread, the official news agency SPA announced.

Saudi Arabia imposed a 24-hour curfew and lockdown on the cities of Riyadh, Tabuk, Dammam, Dhahran and Hofuf and throughout the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, Qatif and Khobar.

Authorities had already sealed off the holy cities of Makkah and Medina along with Riyadh and Jeddah, barring people from entering and exiting as well as prohibiting movement between all provinces.

Authorities in the Saudi port city of Jeddah started relocating workers living in cramped residential complexes to school buildings in an effort to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus. As part of the relocation plan, the Jeddah municipal authority will ask labour-intense companies to move their employees to schools as a temporary residence with the aim of easing overcrowding in their own residential complexes.

The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance announced that Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan will only be performed at home as the suspension of prayers at mosques would not be lifted until the end of coronavirus.

Al Riyadh newspaper quoted Dr. Abdul Latif Al Sheikh, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, as saying: “The suspension of performing the five daily prayers at mosques is more important than the suspension of Taraweeh prayers. We ask Allah the Almighty to accept Taraweeh prayers whether held at mosques, or homes, which we think is better for people’s health. We ask Allah the Almighty to accept prayers from all of us and protect humanity from this epidemic that hit the entire world,” Al Sheikh clarified.