Face masks and social distancing are no longer mandatory as of October 17
The new rules will only apply to those who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19…
Due to a significant nationwide decline in Covid-19 cases and the high vaccination rates in the Kingdom, the Ministry of Interior has announced that several restrictions will be relaxed from tomorrow (Sunday, October 17).
#الصحة تعلن عن تسجيل (45) حالة إصابة جديدة بفيروس كورونا (كوفيد-19)، وتسجيل (2) حالات وفيات رحمهم الله، وتسجيل (41) حالة تعافي ليصبح إجمالي عدد الحالات المتعافية (536,900) حالة ولله الحمد. pic.twitter.com/7yfcsNE8Db
— و ز ا ر ة ا لـ صـ حـ ة السعودية (@SaudiMOH) October 16, 2021
Face masks in open spaces will no longer be mandatory for fully vaccinated people. However, members of the public must still wear them indoors and in areas that are not monitored by the Tawakkalna tracing app.
In addition, the social distancing measure has also been lifted by the government. According to the Saudi Press agency, public places like restaurants, cinemas, and all modes of transportation will be allowed to operate at their full capacity for fully vaccinated people.
Events in wedding halls and other gatherings monitored by Tawakkalna will be allowed with no restrictions on attendance. However, those involved must still comply with the remaining precautions, including masks in closed spaces.
Other rules to be lifted include the number of visitors to Mecca’s Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Those who are fully vaccinated with both doses will now be able to perform Umrah or prayer at the mosques by making an appointment via Eatmarna or Tawakkalna apps. It is required to wear a mask at all times whilst in the mosques.
The ministry also stated that the rules are subject to change depending on the development of the pandemic.
Different rules may also be enforced in different areas of the Kingdom depending on the infection rates.
New Covid-19 cases have been fluctuating around the 50-mark, with 45 new infections recorded today. This brings the total number of confirmed infections in Saudi Arabia to 547,890 and the virus-related fatalities to 8,760.
Among the active cases, 110 of them are in critical condition. According to the Ministry of Health, 41 people recovered over the past 24 hours, raising the total number of people free from the deadly virus to 536,900.
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