Coronavirus: Saudi imposes strict night curfew, with fines starting SR10,000

Dubai: Saudi Arabi has imposed night curfew from 7 m to 6 m with effect from Monday, as part of the measures to check the spread of Corona virus. 

Violators  face a fine of up to SR10,000. Those who repeat violation for the second time, will be slapped double that as fine and third time violators could could face jail not exceeding 20 days, news agencies quoted the Saudi Ministry of Interior as announcing on Monday.

The curfewwas imposed by King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz as part of the kingdom’s stringent precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The curfew follows the increasing number of infections in the country which reported 51 new cases on Monday, bringing the total to 562, including 19 recoveries.

Authorities have urged citizens to stay at home during the coming period, especially during the curfew, and to not leave their homes except in emergencies and extreme necessity.  The strict measures aim to safeguard public health.

All community members were urged to stick to hygiene rules and preventive measures to protect themselves and others. Those working in vital sectors, including security, military and media, as well as staff working in the sensitive health and service sectors, are exempted from the curfew,  in view of the essentia nature of their work during the curfew period.

The Ministry called upon the public to adhere to preventive measures, follow news updates on the health developments from the official government sources and disregard rumours and not circulate them.