The acting undersecretary for Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), Saleh bin Majid al-Khulaifi, has stressed that the Cabinet's decision to ban services in restaurants, barbershops and clubs comes in consideration for those who are yet to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

This came in response to a question on not allowing people who have received vaccination to go to restaurants and barbershops on Wednesday following the announcement of the Cabinet decision.

He said there are people who use these services and have not received the vaccine yet, and are therefore at risk of infection. The service may be provided in closed places, which increases the risk of exposure to the virus.

In light of the current situation and the high number of cases, it is not advisable to provide these services, especially in high-risk places, whether it is sports clubs or restaurants, he added.

Regarding the closure of popular markets on Fridays and Saturdays, and the exclusion of commercial complexes from this, he explained that the aim of these measures is to provide services to the public and at the same time protect society from the dangers of the virus.

Regarding commercial complexes and malls, he noted that these complexes have modern ventilation systems, and in the event that any of them violates social distancing requirements or rules pertaining to their capacity, they will be closed just as some violating complexes have been shut previously. He called on all shops to abide by the rules, measures and restrictions approved by the Shura Council.

Regarding the restrictions on restaurants and cafes outside commercial complexes, al-Khulaifi pointed out that the aim of the decision is to reduce the time people sit in restaurants and cafes and not to close them.

He said restaurants and cafes, whether in malls or in commercial streets, and clubs are allowed to offer their products and services to the public through delivery or pick-up.

He reiterated that the main goal of the restrictions is to prevent sitting inside these restaurants and cafes, whether indoors or in the open, and not closure.

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