Saudi Arabia is enforcing more Coronavirus restrictions

The kingdom had already prohibited gatherings of more than one family member. A few hours ago, it also announced more specific details, saying those breaching the rules would be punished by law and encouraged people to report any violation, the State news agency SPA reported.

To enforce the lockdown measures, Saudi Arabia has just formed a police unit to monitor violations of its Coronavirus lockdown rules and has banned gatherings of more than five people, SPA announced.

Image credit Sada El Balad

Fines of up to 100,000 riyals (about £20,000) will be handed down to groups larger than one family gathering in public and private spaces, including homes, construction sites and shops. The same rule will be extended to parties, weddings and funerals.

“The regulation aims to impose social separation and organise and reduce human gatherings,” SPA reported.

The number of new recorded Coronavirus infections in Saudi Arabia is hovering at around 1,600 per day. The kingdom has recorded 33,731 cases and 219 deaths since the start of the outbreak.

On Wednesday, the kingdom introduced more severe new penalties for residents and citizens found to violate other preventative measures.

Women in Saudi wear medical masks as a precaution to protect themselves from coronavirus, Image credit Twitter

Those found to have violated quarantine rules could be fined up to 200,000 riyals (£0,5 = about 3.7540 riyals) and face up to two years in prison, while those found to have intentionally spread the virus could face a fine of up to 500,000 riyals and up to five years in prison.

Not less important to highlight, non-Saudi offenders would also be deported and permanently barred from re-entering.