Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Interior has clarified on Wednesday that wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing are mandatory for those who enter stadiums and big event halls. The exemptions from this are given only in open spaces like public parks and walkaways.

It also urged all citizens and expatriates in the Kingdom to receive booster dose of coronavirus vaccine once they completed six months after taking the second dose of the vaccine, the Saudi Press Agency reported quoting an official source at the ministry.

“Based on the report of the competent health authorities regarding the definitions of public places and their health controls, open spaces mean those places that are not covered and not surrounded by borders such as public parks and pedestrian walkaways, which are open to all, without any entry requirements or arrangements from a supervisor.

“The open spaces do not include sports stadiums, event halls which are designed to host 500 or more people at the same time, regardless of the number of actual attendees,” the source said while stressing that it is necessary to comply with wearing masks while present at these places or attend any events there.

The source called on all citizens and expatriates who have completed six months after taking second jab of the vaccine to quickly obtain the booster dose, with the aim of strengthening the herd immunity.

The ministry stressed that all organizers of events and activities must verify, through the Tawakkalna application, the health status of those who attend these activities.

The source reiterated the continued application of all precautionary measures, including wearing a mask and keeping physical distancing at places where the immunization status is not verified such as mosques, public utility markets including vegetable and livestock markets, fish markets and slaughterhouses, as well as at small shops including electrical, carpentry and plumbing shops, car workshops, and passages and open yards of commercial complexes.