Saudi Arabia reiterates warning of $267 fine for violating coronavirus measures

RIYADH — As the number of coronavirus cases continues to drop in Saudi Arabia, authorities are making all efforts to prevent a second wave of the deadly infection in the Kingdom.

Concerned over the possibility of people lowering their guard against COVID-19, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior has once again warned against ignoring coronavirus countermeasures, such as wearing a face mask in public or social distancing. Any lapse on part of a citizen or resident will invite a hefty fine of SR1,000, the ministry reiterated in a statement on its official Twitter handle on Thursday.

“Anyone who deliberately violates the coronavirus precautionary and preventative measures will be punished with a fine of SR1,000.”

The violations the ministry warned against include:

— not wearing a face mask

— not following social distancing measures

— refusing to have your temperature checked upon entering a private or public facility

— not following protocols when your temperature rises to above 38 degrees Celsius

In a statement on Monday, Saudi Health Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah called on people to continue to adhere to preventative measure, saying that several countries are currently witnessing a second wave of COVID-19 as people there stopped following preventative measures and not wearing a massk.

“We ask everyone to cooperate by applying health precautions and not being complacent. We are all in the same boat, and the failure of some affects everyone,” the minister tweeted..