- Title: Saudis rent chalets to unwind during Riyadh's scorching heat
- Date: 6th July 2020
- Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (JULY 3, 2020) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) CHILDREN COUNTING DOWN UNDER POOL 'BUCKET DUMP' BUCKET TIPPING OVER AND SPILLING WATER OVER CHILDREN VARIOUS OF CHILDREN PLAYING IN SWIMMING POOL WITH FATHERS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ENGINEER LIVING IN SAUDI ARABIA, RAMI ALIEA, SAYING: "Today was a special day, especially considering that in past four months we have been under lockdown, the children were not able to leave the house, we too were unable to do so. Today we came here and had a wonderful time, the children were happy - unlike the past four months, not to mention we also spent the Eid holiday in lockdown. Today they were ecstatic, and of course whatever makes them happy makes us happy too." BUCKET TIPPING OVER WITH WATER SPILLING INTO POOL FAMILY SWIMMING BUCKET TIPPING OVER WITH WATER SPILLING INTO POOL / FAMILY SWIMMING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) YOUNG SAUDI RESIDENT, LANA SAADALDEEN, SAYING: "Since the outbreak of the coronavirus four months ago we haven't been able to go outdoors. Today I had a wonderful time, we played with out friends and had a nice day." VARIOUS OF FAMILY MEMBERS SWIMMING AND PLAYING WATER GAMES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SAUDI RESIDENT, MONTHER SAADALDEEN, SAYING: "Today we are beyond happy, coming to the chalet, this is the only outlet we have in Riyadh, we have no beaches or anywhere else to go." BUCKET TIPPING OVER BOY DANCING IN SWIMMING POOL BOY SWIMMING UNDERWATER (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) YOUNG SAUDI RESIDENT, MAHMOUD DAHER, SAYING: "Today, after four months, we are finally free. We are able to go out and about. We were trapped at home, we couldn't go to schools, to parks or to malls. Today we have to stand up to the virus and go out, life must go on." RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (JULY 3, 2020) (REUTERS) BUCKET TIPPING OVER AND SPILLING WATER VARIOUS OF WORKERS SANITISING FRONT YARD OF CHALET VARIOUS OF WORKERS SANITISING CHALET INTERIOR CHALET MANAGER GIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO WORKER VARIOUS OF WORKER ADDING CHLORINE TO POOL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) CHALET MANAGER, HOSAM ALDERAWESH, SAYING: "Now with people unable to travel abroad, many have been interested in the chalets. People want an outlet for themselves and their children, they want somewhere to go and have fun, somewhere with a pool, water games, yards. It's a fun outlet for families." VARIOUS OF CHALET EXTERIORS WITH SIGN READING (Arabic/English): "HOOR CHALETS"
- Embargoed: 20th July 2020 10:11
- Keywords: Coronavirus Health Heat Pools Riyadh Saudi Arabia Summer
- Location: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA
- City: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA001CLO9CNP
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: In the swimming pool of a rental chalet in Riyadh, children were laughing ecstatically and splashing the cool water on their parents.
With the coronavirus travel restrictions still in place, and many entertainment facilities still shut down, families are finding creative ways to escape the Saudi summer heat.
While wealthier families headed towards the cooler western province of the kingdom, others are renting out affordable chalets that include pools and other entertainment facilities for their families.
"Today, after four months, we are finally free," said a Mahmoud Daher, who was at a chalet with his family and some friends. "We were trapped at home, we couldn't go to schools, to parks or to malls. Today we have to stand up to the virus and go out, life must go on."
A chalet can cost anywhere between 400-1,000 riyals per night ($110 - $266).
The number of coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia has exceeded 200,000, with 1,858 deaths, following a rise in new infections over the past two weeks
The kingdom introduced stringent measures in March to halt the spread of the new coronavirus, including 24-hour curfews in most towns and cities, with most people only allowed out for essential shopping or urgent medical reasons.
But the country began a phased easing of restrictions on movement and business activity in May and lifted its curfew rules entirely last month.
Weddings and other entertainment facilities are still restricted. The country also decided to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending the haj to around 1,000, after barring Muslims abroad from the rite for the first year in modern times.
(Production: Nael Shyoukhi, Mohammed Benmansour) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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