Saudi Arabia bans shisha over coronavirus fears

Cairo: Saudi authorities have banned cafes and restaurants in the kingdom from serving shisha and tobacco to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, Saudi media reported Monday.

Local authorities in several Saudi cities, including the capital Riyadh, have announced the temporary ban as part of precautionary measures against the virus, news portal Ajel said.

Teams from municipalities will make field inspections to ensure the strict compliance with the ban, according to the report.

Saudi Health Minister Tawfik Al Rabih hailed the ban. “Tobacco and the shisha can cause infection transmission as they change hands,” the official said.

Fifteen confirmed coronavirus cases have been recorded in Saudi Arabia, which has taken a string of preventive steps against the virus, including a temporary ban on the Umrah trips, closure of educational institutions and suspension of flights to a number of coronavirus-hit countries.