Saudi Arabia suspends dine-in services to combat virus

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia announced the suspension of recreational events in the Kingdom for the next 10 days to halt the spread of the coronavirus, the ministry of interior said.

Venues such as cinemas and indoor entertainment establishments will be shuttered in a bid to slow the rise of COVID-19 cases.

The rules also include the banning of indoor dining at restaurants, though takeaways continue to be permitted. Municipal official will carry out inspections and any restaurants in violation could be forced to close for up to a month.

Gyms and sports centers are also require to close for the duration of the order.

All activities and events, including weddings and corporate meetings, held in private or hotel ballrooms, as well as those held in restaurants and camps are also suspended for a period of 30 days, The Saudi Press Agency reported citing



the interior ministry.

The length of the suspension can also be extended if cases continue to rise.

The Kingdom reported 306 new cases on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia banned expatriates from traveling to the Kingdom from 20 countries.

The new action came amid a global surge in cases of COVID-19 linked to variations in the original coronavirus, first detected in England, South Africa and Brazil, and fears that vaccines being distributed worldwide may be less effective against them.

Saudi Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said on Wednesday there will be a roll out of huge quantities of vaccines received from various suppliers during the next few days.

Saudi Arabia has lost more than 6,000 people to the disease since the start of the pandemic.