Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Saudi authorities announced on Friday they would be reopening smoking areas and allowing restaurants and cafes to start serving shisha after banning it as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus, according to a statement from the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.

The ministry issued the precautionary measures to reopen smoking areas and shisha serving areas starting May 17, per the highest international preventive measures. The ministry will conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance.

The protocols for shisha cafes allows only vaccinated customers to enter the cafe according to their status on Tawakkalna application.

All workers in the cafes must be immunized or present a PCR test result showing non-infection of coronavirus every seven days at the expense of the establishment where they are working.

Cafes must ensure social distancing between tables, serving shisha will only be allowed in open areas.

Only disposable shisha hoses can be used and groups more than five customers are not allowed to sit together.