The masks are off in public places as Saudi Arabia eases COVID-19 restrictions

Mask-clad clients wait for their table to be sanitised upon arriving at a cafe in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on June 21, 2020. (File/AFP)
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Updated 15 October 2021
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The masks are off in public places as Saudi Arabia eases COVID-19 restrictions

  • The Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque will also be operating at full capacity for those who have been double jabbed

Saudi Arabia announced on Friday the easing of restrictions previously imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

People will no longer be required to wear masks in open places from Oct. 17, state news agency SPA reported, citing  a source in the Ministry of Interior.

The Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque will also be operating at full capacity for those who have been double jabbed with the vaccine. But workers and visitors will still be required to wear a face mask at all times.

There will no longer be social distancing measures, gatherings will be allowed, while public places, public transport, restaurants, and cinemas, will operate at full capacity.


ZATCA thwarts massive captagon smuggling attempt at Al-Haditha border

Updated 30 January 2026
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ZATCA thwarts massive captagon smuggling attempt at Al-Haditha border

  • Following the seizure, ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, leading to the arrest of two individuals

RIYADH: The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority at the Al-Haditha border crossing intercepted an attempt to smuggle 269,411 captagon pills hidden in a commercial food consignment during a routine inspection.

The authority thwarted the attempt to smuggle the contraband using advanced security technologies, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Following the seizure, ZATCA coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, leading to the arrest of two individuals intended to receive the shipment in the Kingdom.

ZATCA spokesperson Hamoud Al-Harbi reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to tightening border security as a core strategic pillar to protect society from the prohibited goods.

The authority encourages the public to support national security by reporting smuggling activities via the confidential number 1910 or email at [email protected].

Through these channels, the authority receives information related to smuggling crimes and violations of the Unified Customs Law with complete confidentiality, and a financial reward is granted to those providing the tip-off if the information is accurate.

The Kingdom vs Captagon
Inside Saudi Arabia's war against the drug destroying lives across the Arab world
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