COVID-19: More than 18,500 violate Saudi protocols in a week

Abu Dhabi: More than 18,500 people were booked for failing to abide by the precautionary and preventive protocols against COVID-19 across Saudi Arabia in the week from January 24 to 30, amid concerns over spike in infections, the Ministry of Interior said.

The statistics showed that Riyadh topped the list of violations with 4,852, followed by Mecca with 2,636, then Al Qassim with 2,557, Al Sharqiya 2,348, and Al Sharqiya 1,002 violations.

Protocols

The maximum permissible limit in family and non-family gatherings, inside homes, rest houses or farms, or in social events such as funerals, parties, and the like, is 50 people. The penalty for non-compliance by private sector businesses with the precautionary and preventive protocols is SR10,000.

The Ministry of Interior stressed that citizens and residents must continue to adhere to the preventive measures and abide by the instructions issued by the authorities in this regard.

The ministry warned any foreigners residing in the Kingdom who are found to have broken any of the COVID-19 rules will be deported and blacklisted from returning.

The strict guidelines on social distancing rules include forbidding any gathering in public spaces, shopping malls and shops.

Offenders risk fines of 5,000 riyals ($1,330), with re-offending accruing a penalty of double this amount.

Re-offending also carries the risk of prosecution by the authorities, the broadcaster added: “If a violator is a resident of Saudi Arabia, he will be deported from the kingdom, and will be forever forbidden from re-entering it after his punishment is carried out.”

The ministry of the interior said: “In case a private sector establishment repeated the violation for the first time, it will be shut down for three months. If the violation was repeated for a second time, the establishment will be shut down for six months.”

If a violator is a resident of Saudi Arabia, he will be deported from the kingdom, and will be forever forbidden from re-entering it after his punishment is carried out.”

Saudi Arabia faces tough new preventive measures if the public continue to ignore precautions against the spread of COVID-19, the health minister has warned on Sunday.

“We have unfortunately in recent days registered a noticeable increase and continued rise in infections. One of the main reasons is gatherings and complacency with precautionary measures,” Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said.

“Lack of compliance will force us to take measures to protect society. I ask you to help us preserve the gains we made in combating the coronavirus. This is a very difficult stage.”

The Kingdom recorded 261 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the total to 368,074, and three more people died, raising the death toll to 6,375 since the pandemic began early last year.