Saudi Arabia: 10 COVID-19 patients arrested for flouting quarantine rules

Cairo: Saudi police have arrested 10 persons infected with COVID-19 for violating the isolation rules, a security official said, as the kingdom has stepped up efforts to curb the spread of the disease.

The 10 were arrested in the governorates of Jeddah and Al Taif for infringing quarantine instructions after they had tested positive for coronavirus, a spokesman for police in the Mecca region added.

“Their behaviour is considered a violation of the precautionary and preventive measures taken to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. Disciplinary procedures have been taken against them and they have been referred to public prosecution,” he said.

Double punishment

According to Saudi law, violations of quarantine rules are punishable by a maximum fine of SR200,000 or jailing of up to two years or both penalties. Repeat offenders face double punishment.

Saudi Arabia so far has confirmed a tally of 409,093 coronavirus cases and 6,869 related fatalities.