Asian workers work at a construction site in the Saudi capital Riyadh

The midday work ban in the Kingdom comes into effect Sunday, the Labor Ministry said on Saturday. The three-hour work ban from 12 noon to 3 p.m. will continue until Sept. 15, it added.

The ministry said workers at oil and gas companies and emergency maintenance are exempt from the rule, but companies should take adequate measures for their protection from sun.

The ministry said it would take punitive action against violating firms and urged citizens and residents to report violators on 920001173. Last year, 280 firms violated the rule.