Saudi Arabia: 20 influencers exposed for flouting COVID-19 rules
Offenders accused of infringing ban to tout commercial activities
Cairo: Twenty online influencers have been named and referred to the Saudi Interior Ministry for violating health rules set to curtail the spread of COVID-19 at commercial establishments, according to a local media report.
The Snapchat celebrities were exposed by the Ministry of Commerce, which had earlier banned celebrations traditionally held to mark the opening of new shops and markets. The ministry also banned the practice of inviting celebrities to commercial establishments for promotional purposes to prevent crowding blamed for COVID-19 spread.
The 20 male and female violators had reportedly gone to commercial establishments and publicised their activities.
The violating businesses include a store for wristwatches, two restaurants, a car maintenance workshop, a fashion store and a furniture showroom.
Six months
The ministry said that commercial establishments will be liable for any violation of the new rules and will face tough penalties that entail closure for six months and prosecution.
In recent months, Saudi Arabia have introduced restrictions to curb the COVID-19 spread and repeatedly warned against infringing health precautions in place.
Health authorities so far have recorded a tally of 395,854 virus cases and 6,728 fatalities in the kingdom.