KUALA LUMPUR – After announcing the relaxation of the standard operating procedure (SOP) of COVID-19, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) detailed the definition of ‘public place’ that allows for entry with and without a face mask.
An official source in the ministry announced on Wednesday that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear face masks in open public places such as public parks and pedestrian sidewalks.
Although walled and enclosed public places are allowed to operate at full capacity, the wearing of face masks is still mandatory and still subject to social distancing rules. These enclosed spaces include stadiums, event halls that can accommodate 500 people or more at a time, premises that cannot confirm the health status of their visitors through the Tawakkalna application, corridors and open areas in commercial complexes, the inside of mosques, public markets, and small business premises.
The source also called on all citizens and residents who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago to quickly obtain the booster dose, with the aim of strengthening the community’s immunity.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah via Twitter reiterated the warning of a fine of SR10,000 for visitors who perform umrah without a valid permit and SR1,000 for those who enter the grounds of the Grand Mosque without a permit.
The ministry also asked Saudis and expatriates to comply with the instructions by obtaining permits to perform umrah and prayers at the Grand Mosque through the Eatmarna application.
