The mid-day ban on outdoor work in Saudi Arabia came into force today, the Labor Ministry has announced.

The three-hour work ban from 12 noon to 3 pm will continue until September 15, a report in Arab News said.

The ministry said workers at oil and gas companies and emergency maintenance are exempt from the rule, but adequate steps must be taken to protect workers from the sun, the report said.

Punitive action will be taken against firms violating the rules, the ministry said.