Saudi Arabia Adopts Set of Preventive Measures to Limit Spread of Coronavirus

File photo of pilgrims in the Grand Mosque complex in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia on October 4, 2020. (AFP)
File photo of pilgrims in the Grand Mosque complex in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia on October 4, 2020. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Adopts Set of Preventive Measures to Limit Spread of Coronavirus

File photo of pilgrims in the Grand Mosque complex in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia on October 4, 2020. (AFP)
File photo of pilgrims in the Grand Mosque complex in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia on October 4, 2020. (AFP)

The Saudi Ministry of Health announced Sunday speeding up the Covid-19 vaccination campaign by including new age categories and postponing the administration of the second dose in order to secure the first jab to the largest number of people possible.

The ministry noted that its new decision came in light of scarcity of vaccine supplies due to challenges facing global manufacturers in meeting the demands, and in order to ensure that the largest number of people receive the first dose of the vaccine.

Health Ministry Spokesman Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulali said that curbing the rising infection rates cannot be achieved through the vaccination, but with adherence to precautionary measures, warning of the consequences of the spike in infections in April due to the sharp increase of new clusters.

In a press conference, Abdulali said the Kingdom registered 799 new infections, bringing the total to 398,435. The number of active cases reached 8,360, including 915 patients in critical condition.

He added that 548 new recoveries were recorded, in addition to seven new deaths, bringing the total fatalities since the outbreak of the pandemic to 6,754.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has set guidelines and protocols for issuing Umrah and prayer permits for the holy month of Ramadan.

Only worshippers, who received at least one dose of the vaccine, would be allowed into either Makkah’s Grand Mosque or Madinah’s Prophet’s Mosque.

Permits would only be issued through the Tawakkalna and Eatmarna dedicated applications, and would not be provided for unvaccinated individuals, according to the ministry.

Moreover, unauthorized vehicles will be prohibited from accessing the central region around Makkah, while visitors with permits must arrive on time or risk losing their time slot, the ministry underlined.



GCC Reaffirms Support for Kuwait on Khor Abdullah Dispute

A glimpse of the GCC Ministerial Council's extraordinary meeting via video conference on Tuesday (GCC)
A glimpse of the GCC Ministerial Council's extraordinary meeting via video conference on Tuesday (GCC)
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GCC Reaffirms Support for Kuwait on Khor Abdullah Dispute

A glimpse of the GCC Ministerial Council's extraordinary meeting via video conference on Tuesday (GCC)
A glimpse of the GCC Ministerial Council's extraordinary meeting via video conference on Tuesday (GCC)

Gulf Arab states on Tuesday voiced their full support for Kuwait’s position in a maritime border dispute with Iraq, stressing the need for positive progress in demarcation talks and for Baghdad to respect Kuwaiti sovereignty.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi said the bloc’s 47th extraordinary ministerial meeting was held in Riyadh under the chairmanship of Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, whose country holds the rotating presidency.

The ministers discussed developments concerning the demarcation of the maritime boundary between Kuwait and Iraq beyond border marker 162.

Albudaiwi said Kuwait's foreign minister briefed his counterparts on the latest developments with Iraq and the outcomes of recent discussions on the issue.

In a joint statement, GCC foreign ministers expressed “the full and unwavering support of member states for Kuwait’s position on the maritime boundary demarcation with Iraq.”

They also called for “positive progress in the ongoing talks and a firm commitment to all protocols agreed by the joint technical and legal committee” on the demarcation process beyond marker 162.

Albudaiwi added that the GCC ministers reaffirmed their categorical rejection of any infringement on Kuwait’s sovereignty, including over its territory, islands, highlands, and maritime zones.

GCC ministers also reiterated their firm stance on the ownership of the Durra gas field, reaffirming commitment to previous decisions made during the GCC’s 45th summit in December 2024.

The council emphasized that the entire Durra field lies within Kuwait’s maritime territory, underscoring that the natural resources in the submerged area adjacent to the divided zone shared between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia – including the Durra field – are jointly owned by the two countries.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia hold exclusive rights to exploit these resources, in accordance with international law and existing agreements between the two nations.

The GCC’s statement further stressed its resolute rejection of any claims by other parties to rights over the Durra field or the submerged area bordering the Kuwait-Saudi divided zone.