Saudi interior ministry says: Curfew violators face fines and jail terms

All those who violate the curfew implemented in Saudi Arabia from 7 pm until 6 am for the next 21 days will be fined SR10,000 ($2,663) and could face jail time if they repeatedly break the law, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior announced on Monday.

Second-time violators will also be forced to pay double the amount of the initial fine, the ministry said.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Sunday announced the implementation of a nation-wide curfew for 11 hours every night to prevent the deadly coronavirus from spreading further.

Saudi Arabia on Monday reported 51 new cases of the virus, raising the total number of cases in the Kingdom to 562.

Authorities urged citizens and residents to stay at home during the hours between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., and not to go outside unless necessary.

Thirty-three percent of coronavirus infections in the Kingdom are a result of people coming into direct contact with previously infected individuals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday. -- Al Arabiya English