Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Health has urged citizens and expatriates in the Kingdom on Sunday to be more cautious in compliance with coronavirus protocols and not to turn Eid Al-Fitr holidays into unfortunate days.

Addressing the daily press conference to brief on the latest coronavirus developments, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Ali, spokesman of the ministry, stated that the coming days are very important with regard to preventing the spread of the pandemic.

“The precautions during the coming days shall be more significant than the previous days, and precautionary measures must be continued.

“The days of the Eid Al-Fitr holidays would turn into unfortunate days if there is a laxity in following the precautions,” the spokesman said while cautioning that Saudi Arabia is still in a phase of fluctuations in the epidemiological curve of the virus.

Saudi Arabia has not recorded any deaths related to receiving the vaccine, he said while warning against the rumors being circulated in this regard.

He underlined the need to go to the nearest hospital in the event of experiencing any severe symptoms after receiving the vaccine, or if symptoms persist for more than three days.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Rahman Al-Hussein, spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce, highlighted the importance of adhering to the preventive protocols in shops and commercial centers, especially since this period is considered as the peak of shopping during the days leading up to the Eid Al-Fitr holidays.

The spokesman stated that the ministry has directed the extension of working hours in shopping centers to 24 hours, and also allowed the centers to open after dawn prayers, stressing the importance of avoiding shopping at peak times to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus.