Covid-19: Saudi Arabia suspends recreational events for 10 days

Dubai - The period of suspension is subjected to extension if deemed necessary by authorities

By SPA

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Published: Thu 4 Feb 2021, 7:10 AM

Last updated: Thu 4 Feb 2021, 9:06 AM

Saudi Arabia announced the suspension of all recreational events in the Kingdom for the next 10 days to halt the spread of the coronavirus, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Thursday citing an official source at the interior ministry.

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According to SPA report, venues such as cinemas and indoor entertainment establishments or those located in restaurants or shopping centres, etc, gyms and sports centres will be closed in a bid to slow the rise of Covid-19 cases.

The ministry said the period of suspension is subjected to extension if deemed necessary by authorities, the report added.

According to the source, the activities, which have been suspended, are the following:

1. Suspension of all events and parties, including weddings, corporate meetings, and the like, in banquet halls and independent wedding halls or affiliated with hotels, as well as in rental rest houses and camps that are used for those purposes, for a period of 30 days that may be extended.

2. The maximum number of gatherings in social events shall not exceed 20 persons for a period of 10 days that may be extended.

3. Suspension of all entertainment activities and events for a period of 10 days that may be extended.

4. Closing down cinemas, indoor entertainment centres, independent indoor games places or in restaurants, shopping malls, gyms, and sports centres, for a period of 10 days that may be extended.

5: Suspension of the provision of dining services in restaurants, cafes, and the like, and limiting it to providing take away services for a period of 10 days, that may be extended, without allowing any gathering that results from those external requests.

The Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs, and Housing will close the establishment that violates this for a period of 24 hours, and 48 hours if the violation is repeated for the first time, one week if the violation is repeated for the second time, two weeks if the violation is repeated for the third time, and one month if the violation is repeated for the fourth time and more, without prejudice to the application of any other prescribed penalty for those violations.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia said it would suspend entry to the kingdom from 20 countries, with the exception of Saudi citizens, diplomats, and medical practitioners and their families.

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