Abu Dhabi: Saudi Arabia has suspended all events and parties, including weddings and corporate meetings, held in wedding halls, hotels, rest-houses or on campsites for 30 days, with the possibility of extension, amid concern over a spike in coronavirus infections, official sources said.
An official source in the Ministry of Interior said the decision was based on recommendations by the health authorities and coincided with the rise in the epidemic curve in some regions of the Kingdom and laxity in following protocols.
The strict measures will take effect from 10pm on Thursday.
The official added the move was also prompted by the need to take preventive and precautionary measures to prevent of a second outbreak in the Kingdom, which may lead to increased pressure on health facilities and difficulty in controlling the pandemic.
The decision sets a maximum of 20 peopleat social events for a period of 10 days, with the posibility of extension.
It also suspended all entertainment activities and events, and closed down cinemas, indoor entertainment centres, and independent indoor games places or those in restaurants, shopping malls, and gyms and sports centres, for a period of 10 days, which can be extended.
Social distancing
The decision also suspended the provision of in-house services in restaurants and cafes and limited them to takeaway orders for a period of 10 days, which can be extended, while not allowing any gathering or crowding caused by those takeaway orders.
Authorities also ordered distributing the prayers to funerals in cemeteries at all times of the day to reduce the number of mourners at one time, in addition to preparing places for funeral prayer to apply social distancing during prayer, and to separate burial places at one time by a distance of 100 metres - as much as possible - in the cemetery in a way that ensures social distancing are strictly followed by the mourners.
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday reported 306 new COVID-19 infections and three deaths. This brings the total number of confirmed infections in the Kingdom to 368,945 and fatality tally to 6,386.
According to the Health Ministry, the total number of recoveries has gone up to 360,400 as a new batch of 290 patients made full recovery.
With the spike in the daily reported infections, active cases have risen to 2,159, including 379 critical cases under intensive care.
