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Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has decided to lift the precautionary and preventive measures related to combating the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, as of Saturday.
An official source at the Saudi Interior Ministry said that the decision was made based on the follow-up to the epidemiological situation of the coronavirus, the feedback by the competent health authorities, the progress that has been achieved in combating the pandemic, and the effective national efforts from all sides, as well as the progress in the national vaccination program and the high rates of immunization and immunity against the virus in the community.
According to a statement reported by Saudi Press Agency (SPA), decisions include suspending the application of social distancing measures in the Grand Holy Mosque, the Prophets Holy Mosque, and mosques, while continuing to abide by wearing masks inside these facilities; and suspending the application of social distancing measures in all open and closed places, activities, and events.
Wearing Masks is no longer requested in open areas, however, they will continue to be needed to be worn in closed places, it added.
In addition, PCR tests, Rapid Antigen Test are no longer requested to be provided by passengers arriving in the Kingdom. Passengers arriving in the Kingdom on visit visas are requested to have medical insurance to cover the costs of treatment from infection with the Coronavirus (Covid-19) during the period of stay in the Kingdom. Passengers arriving in the Kingdom are no longer requested to abide by institutional and home quarantine to combat the pandemic.
The official source stressed the importance of the implementation of the national immunization plan, which includes taking the (third) booster dose and applying procedures to verify the health status in the "Tawakkalna" application to enter facilities, activities, events, boarding planes, and public transportation, adding that the measures taken above are subject to continuous evaluation by the competent health authorities in the Kingdom and as per to the developments in the epidemiological situation.
