Saudi Arabia has announced the suspension of work in all private sectors with the exception of health, food and other vital services for 15 days, reported Saudi Press Agency.
Necessary infrastructure sectors such as electricity, water and communications will remain open while the rest of the country activates remote working procedures.
Government sector jobs except for the health, security, and military sectors have already closed or moved to remote working.
The government has advised all private companies to reduce the number of workers in offices to the absolute minimum necessary to continue operations, stating no more than 40 per cent of total employees should be present.
Should there be more than 50 employees in the office or staying at a workplace-provided housing, temperatures must be measured and symptoms checked at all entrance points.
The government stressed that anyone exhibiting symptoms must inform their workplace and follow precautionary isolation measures.
Measures must also be taken to ensure social distancing protocol is being followed for any workers in the office or in workplace-provided housing.
All health clubs and nurseries located in the public sector offices have been ordered to close and a remote working guide to aid employers and employees during the transition has been released.
Additional measures to combat the spread of coronavirus among vulnerable populations include a compulsory 14-day leave allowance, excluded from any standard allowance, for individuals that have respiratory diseases, immunodeficiency diseases, users of immunosuppressive drugs, those with tumours or chronic diseases, pregnant and lactating women, and workers over 55.
The kingdom has reported 171 cases of coronavirus, and has taken measures to limit spreading, including closing mosques for daily prayers and announcing an extraordinary virtual G20 leaders summit next week.