RIYADH — Any decisions and directives issued by the competent authorities, aimed at boosting the precautionary measures against any spread of coronavirus by enhancing the immunity of the citizens and expatriates, should be implemented, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) cited an official source at the Public Prosecution as stressing on Friday. Any case of intentional violation in implementing these decisions and directives by the pertinent officials will subject them to penal questioning and the competent court will be asked to impose a discretionary punishment against the violator, the official source added. The source added, the health authorities have recommended monitoring and following up the status of coronavirus (infection) and assess its risk indices in the Kingdom. The official source has asserted that it is compulsory to carry out the decisions issued by the pertinent authorities, especially those related to suspending events and social gatherings due to fear of the probable infection by coronavirus. These decisions are also meant to be a necessary precautionary and preventive measure meant to safeguard the health of the citizens and expatriates. All should implement these necessary measures to prevent being subject to penal questioning. These decisions and directives have come under extraordinary circumstances that the safety of world health is going through. Furthermore, they are related to the Kingdom's keenness to protect the health of the citizens and expatriates and ensure their safety in the first instance. If there is any intentional violation of these decisions and directives by those who are supposed to implement them, then they will be liable to (penal) questioning and the competent court will be asked to impose a discretionary penalty against the violator. The official source added that such conduct is considered to be a crime that is not just causing harm but exposing others to danger. Hence, it is forbidden to violate the orders in this regard, even if the violation does not lead to harm. It is sufficient to carry out the directives so as to avoid being blamed for the criminal responsibility of noncompliance leading to threatening public health by creating a fertile environment conductive to the fast spread of novel coronavirus. The source appealed to all to have peace of mind, tranquility and full awareness and understanding that these measures are preemptive and precautionary meant to prevent any harm to public health. The objective is also to enhance the immunity of the citizens and expatriates. This will necessitate cooperation by all, as well as doubling their responsibility by responding to these challenges early in order to ramp up the precautionary measures against this virus.
