Official: Saudi Arabia may implement more COVID-19 restrictions

Dubai: Saudi Arabia could implement further COVID-19 restrictions if people do not comply with preventative measures, Al Arabiya quoted Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah as saying.

“We have seen a significant and continuous increase in the number of coronavirus cases recently [caused by] gatherings of all kinds, if the laxity of gatherings continues and preventative measures are not implemented then we will enter the dangers of a second wave,” the minister warned in a video message.

He also added that the commitment and cooperation of all contributes to the efforts of all sectors in the Kingdom in dealing with the pandemic.

“The lack of commitment will undoubtedly force us to take further precautionary measures to protect society,” Al Rabiah added.

The health minister urged people to take the latest developments seriously and to follow all measures including wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing, and practicing good hygiene including washing hands and avoiding handshakes.

Saudi Arabia has seen an upward trend in recent days after having reported only 82 cases on January 3. The Kingdom had started an aggressive vaccination campaign but was forced to slow down due to Pfizer delays in production and delivery.

Authorities had announced the resumption of travel would be on March 31 but on Friday pushed the date to May 17 instead due to the global delay in vaccine deliveries and in effort to avoid a second wave of the virus.