Saudi Arabia has announced that Covid-19 curbs at both Grand Mosques from October 17, the country’s interior ministry said on Friday. 

The decision comes in the face of a sharp drop in daily infections and a considerable development in vaccinations.

The government will lift social distancing measures and will allow full-capacity attendance at the in Makkah and Madina’s Grand Mosques for those who have taken the full dose of vaccines.

The authorities also cancelled curbs on fully vaccinated people at closed venues, gatherings, transportation, restaurants and cinemas.

Masks are no longer mandatory at public open places while still imposed at closed venues, it added.