Saudi Arabia: Popular Jeddah shopping mall shut down for violating COVID-19 preventive measures
Shoppers and mall official were not sticking to the COVID-19 guidelines set by government
Abu Dhabi: A major shopping mall on Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Street, formerly known as Tahlia Street, in Jeddah, was shut down for failing to abide by precautionary protocols meant to stem the spread of coronavirus, Saudi media reported.
Al Aziziyah municipality inspectors spotted gatherings inside the mall with no commitment to physical distancing, and wearing no masks, in addition to the lack of the shopping mall’s initiative to limit the number of shoppers, which led to its closure, municipal officials said.
As per the newly-revised Saudi protocols, private sector businesses are required to adhere to precautionary measures: providing their staff with disinfectants and sanitisers, taking the temperatures of both staff and customers at the entrances of shopping malls.
Other measures include sterilising shopping trolleys and baskets after each use, sanitising facilities and surfaces, closing children’s play areas and fitting rooms in shopping malls and ready-wear outlets.
Any gathering of shoppers or workers inside or outside a shopping mall in a way that exceeds the numbers stipulated in the precautionary measures and preventive measures, will attract a penalty of SR5,000 for each person exceeding the stipulated numbers, but not exceeding SR100,000.
The penalty will be doubled in the event of repetition.
Authorities highlighted the need for all individuals and entities to abide by health safety rules, social-distancing protocol and the new guidelines set for social gatherings.