Saudi Arabia locks down Qatif region as coronavirus cases rise in Gulf (latest)

Players entering the pitch as the stands are seen empty after the decision of the Saudi Ministry of Sports, following an outbreak Covid-19 during the Saudi Professional League soccer match between AL-Hilal and Al-Ettifaq at King Saud University Stadium, in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia on Sunday (March 8) also imposed a temporary lockdown on its eastern Qatif province, home to a large Shi'ite Muslim population, to prevent the spread of the virus in the kingdom after recording four more cases that raised the total to 11. - Reuters

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia on Sunday (March 8) imposed a temporary lockdown on its eastern Qatif province, home to a large Shi'ite Muslim population, to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the kingdom after recording four more cases that raised the total to 11.

The move risks stirring resentment in Qatif, which has been a flashpoint between the Sunni-dominated Saudi government and minority Shi'ites in the country who have complained of discrimination and marginalisation, charges the government denies.