Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia suspends public travel from March 21

King Salman reassures Saudis in televised address to the kingdom

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Saudi Arabia will suspend all domestic flights, buses, taxis and train services for 14 days from Saturday as a precautionary measure to limit the spread of coronavirus, the interior ministry said on Friday.

Saudi Arabia has so far confirmed 274 cases of the Covid-19 virus with eight recoveries and no deaths, while globally the pandemic has killed nearly 10,000 and infected more than 240,000.

In an address on Thursday, King Salman reassured Saudis and residents.

He said that the kingdom was continuing to take "all precautionary measures to confront this pandemic and limit its effects".

"We are living through a difficult phase of the world's history. However, we are completely certain that this phase will end and pass, despite its harsh and bitter difficulties," King Salman said.

"All government sectors, led by the Ministry of Health, are doing all they can and taking all necessary measures to ensure the health of the nation's citizens and residents."

The Saudi Minister of Health Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah and and Finance Minister Mohammed Al Jadaan are scheduled to hold a press conference on the health and economic challenges of the coronavirus outbreak later on Friday.