Saudi Arabia: 121 women arrested for flouting COVID-19 rules
The violators attended illegal gathering in wedding hall
Cairo: 121 women have been arrested for attending an illegal wedding gathering in violation of regulations aimed to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia’s border region of Jizan, a police official said.
The violators were arrested in a wedding hall in Jizan’s governorate of Al Darb, spokesman for the region’s police Major Naif Abdulrahman added.
“Disciplinary procedures were taken and related penalties were applied to the inviter, the person responsible for the gathering and everyone who attended the illegal gathering,” he said.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia announced an updated list of fines against violators of virus-controlling regulations including a fine of SR40,000 for the person responsible for social gatherings such as funerals and parties, exceeding the specified numbers of people.
Public prosecution
Any person attending such gatherings is fined SR5,000 for the first time with the fine doubled on repetition.
Invitation to such gatherings is punishable by SR10,000 for the first time. The penalty can reach up to SR100,000 on repetition and referral to public prosecution.
Violations, punishable by a fine of SR10,000, include refusing to have temperature checked at entrances, failing to wear face masks and observe social distancing, as well as withholding information of health status through the designated apps.