Saudi health authorities have urged people in the Kingdom to wear face masks in crowded places, amid concerns over the spread of infection diseases such as Covid-19.

The JN.1 variant of Covid-19 has been identified in Saudi Arabia and was reported to have surged in the Kingdom.

The Public Health Authority had previously allayed fears over the new variant, saying: “There is no truth to the risks and warnings being circulated about a new epidemic, as the JN.1 variant is considered one of the branching variants of COVID-19, and the effectiveness of immunisation with the developed COVID-19 vaccine is valid and there is no reason for concern and there is no need to apply strict measures”.

However, as a precautionary measure the Public Health Authority has advised the wearing of masks in public places.

In a post on social media, it said: “It’s important to wear a mask when going to crowded places to safeguard yourself and others from respiratory infections”.