RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing has emphasized on Saturday that the suspension of holding social events at wedding halls and auditoriums would continue and that is in accordance with precautionary measures and preventive protocols to stem the spread of coronavirus. The ministry explained that such gatherings involve several risks, specifically the large scale attendance of the elderly people on such occasions, the high risks in the advanced age groups, and the chances for the rapid spread of coronavirus in big gatherings. The ministry also cited the reasons for continuing to suspend the events, saying that these include non-completion of the drive to administer the second dose of the vaccine against coronavirus, not mitigating the spread of the pandemic and limiting its effects, recording of high rates of virus spread during gatherings, and the presence of mutated variants of the virus. The ministry indicated that there are also difficulties in ensuring total control over the compliance of the preventive protocols such as wearing of masks, inspection of all attendees, and applying social and physical distancing at such gatherings. In March last year, Saudi Arabia suspended events in wedding halls, rest houses, event venues and in hotels as part of the precautionary measures that were recommended by the health authorities to protect the health of citizens and residents and ensure their safety. The Ministry of Health advised then 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.