KSA: COVID-19 Recedes, Vaccine Distributed According to Priority

A woman holds a small bottle labeled with a "Vaccine COVID-19" sticker and a medical syringe in this illustration taken April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic
A woman holds a small bottle labeled with a "Vaccine COVID-19" sticker and a medical syringe in this illustration taken April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic
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KSA: COVID-19 Recedes, Vaccine Distributed According to Priority

A woman holds a small bottle labeled with a "Vaccine COVID-19" sticker and a medical syringe in this illustration taken April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic
A woman holds a small bottle labeled with a "Vaccine COVID-19" sticker and a medical syringe in this illustration taken April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

The Saudi Ministry of Health said that all indicators pointed to a significant decline in COVID-19 cases and infections in the Kingdom, adding that the virus was receding with the commitment to the preventive measures.

Regarding the Pfizer vaccine, which was approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, the ministry said that the priority would be given to the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases.

In a news conference on Sunday, the spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Health, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, highlighted “a lot of good news in the reports related to the Coronavirus vaccines,” saying that the world “deals with this matter with great determination and hope.”

During the conference, Adel Al-Harf, vice president for drug sector at Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), discussed the registration of the COVID-19 vaccines in the Kingdom, the approval criteria, and the side effects of the vaccines.

Saudi Arabia registered 139 new infections on Sunday, the ministry said, compared to 166 cases the day before. The ministry added that 202 new recoveries were recorded, bringing the total to 350,549 cases, and 12 new deaths, raising the total number of fatalities to 6,048.



Penalties Imposed on Hajj Fraudsters

Saudi Arabia has commended several countries for their strict actions against tour companies that issued unauthorized Hajj visas.Photo: Bashir Salih
Saudi Arabia has commended several countries for their strict actions against tour companies that issued unauthorized Hajj visas.Photo: Bashir Salih
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Penalties Imposed on Hajj Fraudsters

Saudi Arabia has commended several countries for their strict actions against tour companies that issued unauthorized Hajj visas.Photo: Bashir Salih
Saudi Arabia has commended several countries for their strict actions against tour companies that issued unauthorized Hajj visas.Photo: Bashir Salih

Several countries, whose citizens died during this year’s Hajj season, have revealed a joint effort with Saudi Arabia to tackle companies issuing unauthorized Hajj visas.

Despite Saudi Arabia’s extensive media campaigns warning against performing Hajj without proper permits and highlighting strict penalties, some pilgrims didn’t abide by the regulations which led to unfortunate outcomes.

Saudi Arabia on Monday commended several countries for their strict actions against tour companies that issued unauthorized Hajj visas. These countries have taken steps to prevent future violations.

Meanwhile, Riyadh is treating both authorized and unauthorized pilgrims for heat exhaustion, with high temperatures causing the deaths of 1,301 pilgrims, most of whom were unauthorized.

Saudi Arabia and Jordan have accused tour companies of deceiving visitors by issuing unauthorized Hajj visas.

Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub said these companies encouraged visitors to break the rules by staying in Makkah two months before the Hajj season.

Jordanian government spokesman Muhannad Mubaideen confirmed that investigations found some citizens were deceived by unscrupulous individuals and certain offices, as reported by the Jordan News Agency (Petra).

On Tuesday, the Jordanian Judicial Council revealed the results of an investigation into unauthorized Hajj trips by Jordanians, which resulted in 99 deaths this year.

The council ordered the closure of companies that facilitated these illegal trips and seized their illegal earnings.

Meanwhile, Egyptian authorities have revoked the licenses of 16 tour companies for illegally organizing Hajj trips without providing services to pilgrims.

The officials of these companies have been referred to the public prosecutor, and the companies have been fined to compensate the families of deceased pilgrims, according to the Egyptian Cabinet.

Egyptian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farouk praised the excellent cooperation between Saudi and Egyptian authorities. He noted the high-level coordination on Hajj matters and other bilateral issues.

On his part, Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Minister of Religious Affairs Brahim Chaibi following the deaths of 60 Tunisian pilgrims, as reported by the Tunisian Consulate in Jeddah.

Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas praised Saudi Arabia’s successful organization of this year’s Hajj. He thanked the Saudi leadership for ensuring a smooth Hajj experience and highlighted the efficiency of the “Makkah Route” initiative.

Saudi Arabia emphasized that Hajj permits are not just entry passes but crucial tools for locating and providing timely care and services to pilgrims.

The Saudi Interior Ministry explained that the absence of permits made it challenging to reach some unauthorized pilgrims and obstructed the delivery of necessary services and care.