Saudis get tough as cases top 3,000 a day

KINGDOM REPORTS 37 MORE DEATHS; WORKPLACE ATTENDANCE SUSPENDED AGAIN IN JEDDAH

Saudi Arabia yesterday warned that the number of virus infections and the death toll were rising because the residents were flouting the rules.

The warning came as the kingdom recorded more than 3,000 cases for the fourth day in a row. The kingdom yesterday confirmed 3,288 new infections and 37 deaths, a day after it reported 3,369 cases, the highest daily count since the start of the outbreak in early March.

Riyadh tops the list

Riyadh topped the list of cities in the number of daily reported infections with 1,099 new cases confirmed yesterday.

The latest cases raised the overall infections in the kingdom to 108,571 and the death toll to 783.

The number of cases and the death toll are rising because the residents continue to ignore preventative measures, health ministry spokesman Mohammad Al Abd Al Ali said, urging citizens and residents to follow social distancing rules and precautionary measures.

Violations reason behind 40% of cases

The spokesman said 40 per cent of cases reported in the kingdom so far are the result of people failing to follow rules instructed by the ministry.

His comments came as authorities reimposed restrictions on Jeddah as the number of coronavirus cases continued to rise in the city.

Movement restrictions

The measures include restricting movement in all areas of the city from 3pm to 6am, halting workplace attendance for employees in both the private and public sectors and prohibiting dining in all restaurants and cafes.

Gatherings of more than five people and prayers at local mosques were also suspended during the non-curfew period.

Jeddah reported 447 new coronavirus cases yesterday and 577 cases on Monday, making it the second city with the highest daily reported cases in the kingdom for the second consecutive day.