64 COVID-19 patients held in Saudi Arabia for flouting isolation rules
If convicted, they could face 2 years in jail, SR200,000 fine
Abu Dhabi: Saudi police have arrested 64 COVID-19 patients in Jazan, southwest corner of Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen, for violating isolation rules, security officials said, amid stepped-up efforts in the kingdom to contain the spread of the highly contagious disease.
They were remanded in custody, pending moving to the Public Prosecution for further interrogation and trial, police said.
According to Saudi law, violations of quarantine rules are punishable by a maximum fine of 200,000 riyals or jail of up to two years or both. Repeat offenders face double punishment.
If the violator is non-Saudi, he/she is punished by deportation from the kingdom and barred from re-entry after serving the jail term.