Gas stations in Saudi Arabia closed for failure to abide by new regulations

JEDDAH: A number of gas stations across the Kingdom have been closed for failing to adhere to regulations set by Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs in 2018.

Jeddah Municipality spokesman Muhammad Al-Bugami told Arab News that the municipality has closed 70 of the 404 gas stations under its control.

Seven of 49 gas stations in Dammam have also been “partially closed” for failing to provide an electronic screen showing gasoline prices, while in November Riyadh municipality toured 60 stations, closing six of them and issuing warnings to 31.

The ministry has formed a committee to investigate solutions for modernizing gas stations and has urged investors to abide by the regulations by partnering with licensed gas station operators.

There are now 20 such companies in the Kingdom after the ministry approved two more earlier this year.

Gas-station regulations include:

Stations on highways should be at least 50 km apart, and at least 20 km apart in districts.

Stations should be at least 30 km away from wedding halls, restaurants, commercial centers and malls.

Entertainment facilities and workers’ residencies must be separate from the station.

Buildings in gas stations should be single-story and located at least nine meters away from gas storage and pipes.