Saudi Arabia announces penalties for those breaching coronavirus measures

This picture taken on May 4, 2020 shows a view of a reopened shopping mall in the Saudi capital Riyadh as some venues reopen after authorities began a partial lifting of the COVID-19 coronavirus lockdown. (AFP)

• People breaking the rules face going to prison and hefty fines
• The announcement also specified punishments for those spreading COVID-19 related rumors

RIYADH: People violating measures designed to stop the spread of coronavirus could be sent to jail, Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry said Tuesday.

The royal order was issued out of concern for the health and safety of citizens and residents, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Citizens, private companies or their employees could be fined between SR1,000 and SR100,000 and jailed for between one month and a year for violating measures.

Fines and prison sentences will also be issued for anyone who breaks quarantine instructions, or who uses a permit to move around during a curfew for a purpose that it was not intended for.

The ministry said if anyone deliberately infects another person, they could be jailed for up to five years and fined up to SR500,000.

The announcement also specified punishments for those spreading COVID-19 related rumors or false information on social media.

Fines will be between SR100,000 and SR1 million and jail terms of between one and five years.

The ministry said if any of the offences are committed by an expatriate, they would be deported and barred from re-entering the country.