Saudi Arabia extends Covid-19 closures by 20 days and urges public to get vaccine

The kingdom recorded more than 47,000 violations of health guidelines in one week

Saudi Hala Abdullah displays her details on the Tawakkalna app, which was launched by Saudi authorities last year to track coronavirus infections. AP

Saudi Arabia extended restrictions on gatherings, eating at restaurants and entertainment for a further 20 days because of the surging numbers of Covid-19 cases in the kingdom.

The kingdom recorded 47,335 Covid-19 violations within one week, the Ministry of Health said on Sunday.

State-run Saudi Press Agency said the move extended measures brought in 10 days ago, and included the closure of cinemas and indoor sports facilities.

The restrictions, which come into effect at 10pm local time on Sunday, could be extended again, the Interior Ministry said.

In a press conference on Sunday, the Ministry of Health urged everyone to register
for the Covid-19 vaccine. "Saudi Arabia was and still is one of the first countries to provide the coronavirus vaccine free of charge to all its citizens and
residents," the ministry said.

Authorities said public commitment can help flatten the curve and avoid going back into lockdown.

Critical cases are on the rise in Saudi but public commitment can "take us back to low-levels, whereas complacency can bring us back to ground zero and we don't want that to happen," the ministry said.

The kingdom's Public Prosecution said prisons and detention centres are being monitored to ensure that the health and safety of prisoners is maintained.

The number of coronavirus vaccines needed is currently being assessed and only people over 16 years-old will be eligible for a vaccine, the health ministry said.

As of Friday, 52 mosques were closed down across the kingdom due to the prevalence of Covid-19 cases there.

Two weeks ago, Saudi Arabia suspended entry to the kingdom from 20 countries, with exceptions for Saudi citizens, diplomats and medical practitioners and their families.

The kingdom recorded a further 322 coronavirus cases and four deaths on Sunday.

Daily infections fell from a peak of above 4,000 in June to below 100 in early January.

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