Saudi Arabia lifts Covid-19 precautionary measures

Saudi Arabia has decided to lift all precautionary measures pertinent to Covid-19.

People are no longer required to wear masks in closed places. However, masks are still mandated in the Grand Holy Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque and in places for which protocols are issued by the Public Health Authority, Saudi Press Agency reported, citing an interior ministry source.

رفع الإجراءات الاحترازية والوقائية المتعلقة بمكافحة جائحة كورونا. pic.twitter.com/SZlXbAx5rG

— وزارة الداخلية (@MOISaudiArabia) June 13, 2022

Facilities, activities, events and public transportation that wish to apply a higher level of protection may continue to mandate people to wear masks.

Proof of immunisation and health verification via the Tawakkalna app is no longer required to enter facilities, events, and to board planes and public transportation, except for those whose nature demand otherwise.

Meanwhile, those facilities, activities, events, and transportation that wish to implement a higher protection level may continue to require proof of vaccination or verify the health status before entry.

Citizens who wish to travel abroad can take the third booster dose within eight months of the second jab, instead of the earlier stipulated three months, except for age groups specified or excluded by the kingdom’s health ministry.

The ministry, however, stressed the importance of taking the approved booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. The move to lift the preventive measures was based on the follow-up of the epidemiological situation, recommendation of the health authorities and the high rates of immunisation.

The kingdom registered 905 new Covid-19 infections on June 12, raising the nationwide case count to 777,795, according to worldometer.