Saudi Arabia lifts COVID-19 precautionary measures

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia announced that the country is lifting all COVID-19 related measures that had been taken to prevent the spread of novel virus, the state news agency (SPA) reported, citing an official in the interior ministry.

The measures lifted include the requirement to wear face masks in closed places, with the exception of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque.

In Kingdom, people will no longer be required to wear a face mask indoors, with the exception of the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina; in addition to health facilities, public events, airplanes and public transportation means that wish to uphold the preventative measures, the agency added.  

Health facilities, public events, airplanes and public transportation that wish to uphold the preventative measures can require people to wear masks.

Citizens who wish to leave Saudi Arabia will be required to take a third booster dose after eight months, instead of three months. 

However, the new regulation does not apply to people under specific age groups or those who have been exempt from being vaccinated by the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia.