Saudi Arabia has announced that it will be suspending work in the private sector for 15 days in its bid to control the spread of the coronavirus disease or COVID-19.
The government said that it has directed private businesses to implement work-from-home policies.
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The Saudi Arabian government said that companies should close their main offices, reduce staff levels at secondary locations, and take measures to limit contact between workers and monitor them for symptoms of infection.
Companies providing vital food and health services as well as utility services for government agencies will be exempted from the policy.
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Saudi Arabian authorities implemented drastic measures to combat the outbreak, including closing mosques, schools, restaurants, coffee shops and malls as well as halting international flights and cancelling the Umrah pilgrimage.
The work suspension will last for 15 days. More than 1,000 confirmed cases were recorded in the Gulf State and one death.
