Saudi Arabia Likely to Re-impose COVID-19 Measures As Cases Surge

A Saudi woman waits to get a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Riyadh (Reuters)
A Saudi woman waits to get a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Riyadh (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Likely to Re-impose COVID-19 Measures As Cases Surge

A Saudi woman waits to get a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Riyadh (Reuters)
A Saudi woman waits to get a dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, in Riyadh (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia reported a slight increase in COVID-19 cases after authorities lifted the precautionary measures and allowed businesses to resume activities.

The Kingdom reported 400 cases per day this week, recording a minor rise to those reported before the resumption of activities on March 7.

The number of active cases was less than 2,700, of which 500 were critical, but now there are more than 4,200 infections, with 600 in critical conditions.

Despite launching its largest vaccination campaign in 500 centers with over 3.5 million doses, Saudi Arabia could witness a re-imposition of precautions as cases continue to rise.

On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia recorded 466 new cases, bringing the total number of infections to 386,300.

In February, the Ministry of Interior announced a number of preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus.

However, earlier this month, the Ministry did not extend COVID-19 precautionary measures, indicating that it will not extend the suspension of indoor dining at restaurants or entertainment activities.

It limited social gatherings to a maximum of 20 people, while large public gatherings, weddings, and events in banquet halls or hotels remained suspended.

The Ministry urged all citizens to adhere to the announced producers and preventive measures.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing announced that vaccinations will be mandatory for all barbershops, salons, restaurants, cafes, and food outlet workers in Saudi Arabia.

Workers will be required to be vaccinated to protect public health and curb the spread of the virus. Those who are not vaccinated before the deadline must provide a negative PCR test result every seven days at the expense of their employer.



UN Yemen Envoy: Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia Threaten Regional Security

UN Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg (United Nations)
UN Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg (United Nations)
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UN Yemen Envoy: Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia Threaten Regional Security

UN Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg (United Nations)
UN Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg (United Nations)

UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said Sunday that the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia are a dangerous escalation that pose a grave threat to regional security, prolong the cycle of violence and further complicate peace efforts in Yemen.

He denounced the group’s continued attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including Saturday’s attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, that killed 12 people and wounded 309 others.

The UN envoy said the attack followed strikes on Riyadh and Abha airports earlier this week that also caused civilian deaths and injuries.

In a statement, Grundberg called on the Houthis to halt the attacks and renewed his call for respect for international humanitarian law, including the ban on attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.


Trump Says Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport ‘Unacceptable’

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during the "A New Golden Age" summit at the US Institute of Peace, renamed The Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace by the Trump administration, in Washington, DC, US, October 8, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during the "A New Golden Age" summit at the US Institute of Peace, renamed The Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace by the Trump administration, in Washington, DC, US, October 8, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
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Trump Says Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport ‘Unacceptable’

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during the "A New Golden Age" summit at the US Institute of Peace, renamed The Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace by the Trump administration, in Washington, DC, US, October 8, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during the "A New Golden Age" summit at the US Institute of Peace, renamed The Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace by the Trump administration, in Washington, DC, US, October 8, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci

US President Donald Trump condemned Saturday’s Houthi attack on Riyadh airport that killed 12 people and wounded 309 others, calling it “unacceptable.”

Trump told reporters he would speak with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following the attack by Iran-backed Houthi militias.

He added that what happened in Saudi Arabia is “unacceptable”.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also strongly condemned the Houthi group’s recent attacks on Saudi Arabia, including the strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

In a post on his official account on social media platform X, Rubio said the “these reprehensible attacks demonstrate a blatant disregard for innocent civilian life. They must stop now”.


Rubio: We Condemn Houthi Attacks ...We Stand with Saudi Arabia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a meeting with Dinorah Figuera, president of the 2015-elected Venezuelan National Assembly, recognized by the US as the country's last democratically elected legislature, at the State Department in Washington, D.C., US, October 9, 2026. REUTERS/Eric Lee
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a meeting with Dinorah Figuera, president of the 2015-elected Venezuelan National Assembly, recognized by the US as the country's last democratically elected legislature, at the State Department in Washington, D.C., US, October 9, 2026. REUTERS/Eric Lee
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Rubio: We Condemn Houthi Attacks ...We Stand with Saudi Arabia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a meeting with Dinorah Figuera, president of the 2015-elected Venezuelan National Assembly, recognized by the US as the country's last democratically elected legislature, at the State Department in Washington, D.C., US, October 9, 2026. REUTERS/Eric Lee
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a meeting with Dinorah Figuera, president of the 2015-elected Venezuelan National Assembly, recognized by the US as the country's last democratically elected legislature, at the State Department in Washington, D.C., US, October 9, 2026. REUTERS/Eric Lee

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemned the recent “terrorist” Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including Saturday’s strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that killed 12 people, including a US citizen.

In a post on his official account on social media platform X, Rubio said: “These reprehensible attacks demonstrate a blatant disregard for innocent civilian life. They must stop now”.

He reaffirmed that the United States stands with Saudi Arabia and its people.

“We stand with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people and extend our condolences to the victims and their families", he said.

Earlier on Saturday, US President Donald Trump said the United States “might join” Saudi strikes against Houthi militias following the “recent attacks,” adding that he had not yet made a decision.

Trump said that he would make a decision quickly on joining Saudi Arabia in striking the Houthis. “We may. We’re going to look at it. We just found out about the recent attack. So we’ll make a decision. We move very quickly", he stated.