Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Health advised the public to avoid holding official or social parties and events with more than 50 attendees. It also underlined the need to avoid handshakes, as it could be one of the most common causes of transmission of infection.

This alert was issued as part of the awareness campaign, launched by the ministry under the slogan of “Prevention of Corona” with the objective of educating members of different segments of the society about coronavirus and guide them to follow ideal conducts that contribute to prevent it and limit its spread.

The campaign includes focusing on a number of awareness tips such as washing of hands with water and soap; sneezing in a handkerchief or in the elbow of the hand; having proper awareness on using mask by the user who suffers from respiratory symptoms such as sneezing and coughing or nursing an infected person.

The ministry stated that the campaign included several methods, including setting up of sign boards on roads and electronic screens in airport lounges, in addition to intensifying awareness through television channels, radio and ads of social media platforms.

It emphasized the importance of receiving information only from the ministry’s reliable sources such as its website and platforms in the social media, Emergency Call Center No. 937, and Twitter account for health awareness titled “Lead a Healthy Life.”

The ministry urged everyone to support the efforts made to combat the virus and exert their efforts to stem its spread.

The ministry said that the Kingdom, like the rest of the world, is passing through extraordinary times that require a high voltage of societal awareness about the seriousness of negligence in dealing with anyone suspected of being infected with coronavirus.

It also called for enhancing the degree of alertness and a sense of responsibility to help the concerned authorities to contain the spread of the disease.

The ministry called on all citizens and residents to contact the Emergency Call Center No. 937 for replies to their queries as well as to receive advices for everything related to the coronavirus, on a round-the-clock basis.

It also stressed the importance of preventing respiratory diseases in general, and advised everyone to adhere to the educational guidelines issued by the ministry to avoid infection.