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.


France, Saudi collaborate on space for artists in Riyadh

Updated 16 January 2026
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France, Saudi collaborate on space for artists in Riyadh

  • L’Institut francais, Riyadh Art will open La Fabrique on Feb. 22
  • ‘New cultural chapter’ between the nations, says France envoy

RIYADH: L’Institut francais in Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Art, an initiative of the city’s royal commission, have announced the opening of La Fabrique, a space for artists, on Jan. 22.

The project is based in the Riyadh Art Hub in JAX District and will enable Saudi and French artists to create, experiment, and bring their visions to life, according to a press release from the organizers.

La Fabrique also offers the public a rare opportunity to witness creative production including movement performances, digital and immersive arts, photography, music, cinema, cuisine and poetry.

At its core, La Fabrique fosters artistic exchange between French and Saudi artists, fostering new encounters, shared practices, and co-creation.

The initiative is aligned with the vision shared by French President Emmanuel Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who have placed cultural cooperation at the heart of the renewed Saudi-French strategic partnership.

Anchored in the ambitions of Vision 2030, La Fabrique is a part of Riyadh’s transformation into a major international cultural hub.

Developed in cooperation with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, the project strengthens the long-standing cultural dialogue between the two nations, the press release stated.

Patrick Maisonnave, ambassador of France to Saudi Arabia, said: “La Fabrique embodies the spirit of a new cultural chapter between France and Saudi Arabia.

“By bringing our artists together, we are not only sharing techniques and traditions, we are opening a space where imaginations meet, new forms emerge, and creativity becomes a bridge between our two societies.

“This initiative reflects our belief that artistic dialogue is one of the most powerful ways to build understanding, trust, and a shared future. It stands as a concrete example of France’s contribution to the ambitions of Vision 2030.”