Saudi Arabia scraps camel festival

Authorities in a central Saudi region have stopped a festival for camels over organisers’ failure to comply with precautions to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Governor of Qassim Prince Faisal bin Meshal bin Saud directed stopping the event in the governorate of Deria, a local official said.

“In view of non-compliance with applying precautionary measures and preventive protocols ordered by the leadership at festivals and public events and out of his concern for safety of citizens and residents, the governor of Qassim ordered the immediate halt to the festival,” spokesman for the region Ahmed bin Abdullah added.