Saudi Arabia announces exemptions to COVID-19 shopping malls ban

Under-18s who had not received a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine jab and those exempt for health reasons will still be allowed into Saudi commercial outlets and shopping malls when strict new rules come into force.

The government announced on Sunday that unvaccinated individuals would not be given access to such establishments from August 1.

However, on Monday, a Ministry of Commerce spokesman said the ban would not apply to those under the age of 18 who had not been inoculated or people at risk of having adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines.