JEDDAH: Makkah municipality has intensified its effort to check the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as the number of infections in the Kingdom continues to rise. With the month of Ramadan approaching, local authorities are taking extra measures to ensure people follow social distancing measures. As a precaution, the municipality has ordered suspension of buffet services in restaurants and prohibited public iftar gatherings in neighborhood during Ramadan. Raad bin Mohammed Al-Sharif, a municipality spokesman, said inspection teams have been formed to enforce strict implementation of health protocols in the holy city, particularly in food outlets. He said shops and malls will be allowed to operate 24 hours to reduce the number of shoppers during the usual peak hours.HIGHLIGHTS • The Kingdom reported 556 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday. • The number of recoveries has risen to 377,714. • With seven new fatalities, the death toll due to virus-related complications has risen to 6,663. • Saudi Arabia has administered more than 4.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses so far. Al-Sharif said the authorities are also making efforts to ensure the safety of food items. On Tuesday, the Kingdom reported 556 new cases of COVID-19 meaning 389,422 people have contracted the virus since the beginning of the outbreak. There are 5,045 active cases and 694 are in critical condition. The Health Ministry also reported 410 new recoveries on Tuesday. The number of recoveries has risen to 377,714. With seven new fatalities, the death toll due to virus-related complications has risen to 6,663. Saudi Arabia has administered more than 4.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses so far. A total of 57,626 PCR tests conducted in the past 24 hours, raising the total number of tests in the Kingdom to over 15 million.