Saudi Arabia: Full Vaccination Mandatory to Attend Events, Ride Public Transport

People wear face masks at the Riyadh International Book Fair 2021. (SPA)
People wear face masks at the Riyadh International Book Fair 2021. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia: Full Vaccination Mandatory to Attend Events, Ride Public Transport

People wear face masks at the Riyadh International Book Fair 2021. (SPA)
People wear face masks at the Riyadh International Book Fair 2021. (SPA)

The Saudi Interior Ministry reiterated on Friday that full vaccination against COVID-19 is necessary to enter public and private institutions, attend school and us public transportation.

Quoting an official source at the Ministry, it said the decision is based on what the health authorities have submitted about what has been proven by the competent national and international scientific authorities of the importance of completing the doses of the approved vaccine to control the spread of the virus, especially the variant strains.

The two doses of approved vaccines are required for attending any economic, commercial, cultural, recreational, sports or tourism event, visiting any governmental or private establishment and boarding planes and getting any public transportation.

The source that the categories exempted from taking vaccinations as shown on Tawakkalna application, are excluded from the decision.

The source stressed the need for everyone to adhere to the precautionary and preventive measures and approved protocols.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry confirmed 45 new COVID-19 cases and 48 recoveries in the Kingdom, in the past 24 hours.

The Ministry also reported three new deaths, raising the death toll in the Kingdom to 8,719.



Trump to Visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE on May 13-16, White House Says

US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for Paul Atkins as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on 22 April 2025. (EPA)
US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for Paul Atkins as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on 22 April 2025. (EPA)
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Trump to Visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE on May 13-16, White House Says

US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for Paul Atkins as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on 22 April 2025. (EPA)
US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for Paul Atkins as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on 22 April 2025. (EPA)

President Donald Trump's upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will take place May 13-16, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday.

Trump would be traveling to the Middle East at a time of ongoing tensions with Iran, the Houthis in Yemen and the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

The Middle East would have been Trump’s first foreign destination since returning to the White House, but he will be heading to the Vatican to attend Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia was the destination of Trump’s first foreign visit during his first term as president, underscoring the importance his administration places on the Kingdom’s regional and international role.

Trump had previously described his ties with the Middle East as “good”. He has constantly hailed the trade relations between the US and Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom’s role in establishing peace and stability in the region.

He has praised it for hosting American diplomatic efforts and facilitating ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Trump has underlined the size of Saudi investments in Amercian companies that amount to nearly $1 billion dollars and has boasted of his strong friendship with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Analysts have said Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE will be very significant and will witness the signing of several trade and military agreements.

The visit will also highlight Qatar’s role as a mediator in the Gaza war, while the US views the UAE as a strategic partner.