RIYADH: Saudi Arabia announced that pilgrims who perform Umrah without a permit during the month of Ramadan will be fined as officials are trying to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
An official source at the Ministry of Interior said a fine of SR10,000 ($2,666) would be imposed on anyone who tries to perform Umrah without a permit, along with a SR1,000 fine for anyone who tries to enter the Grand Mosque in Makkah without a permit.
Saudi authorities are looking beyond Ramadan as the measure will be valid until the end of the pandemic or when “life returns to normal,” the source added.
The source said the ministry wants to ensure that all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus are adhered to. It also wants to ensure that approved regulations for performing Umrah and prayer are in line with the operational safety capacity at all Grand Mosque sites and squares.
Every pilgrim wishing to perform Umrah or prayers in the Grand Mosque must obtain a permit.
The source also said that security personnel will be on patrol at all security control centers, roads, sites and pathways leading to the central area surrounding the Grand Mosque.
Meanwhile, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif, minister of interior, who is also chairman of the Hajj Supreme Committee, approved the general emergency plan for Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan.
The director general of the General Directorate of Civil Defense, Lt. Gen. Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Amro, said COVID-19 inspection tours have been intensified at all facilities and sites frequented by pilgrims and visitors.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said on Thursday that the Umrah and Tawakkalna applications have been launched in their updated versions, through cooperation with the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence.
Saudi Arabia says will fine pilgrims performing Umrah without permits in Ramadan
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Saudi Arabia says will fine pilgrims performing Umrah without permits in Ramadan
- Saudi authorities are intensifying efforts to combat virus during Ramadan and beyond
Economic growth and resilience at heart of 2nd AlUla Emerging Market Economies Conference
- Event on Feb. 8 and 9 will bring together ministers, governors of central banks, policymakers, economic experts and international financial institutions
- Emerging-market economies a ‘pivotal element’ in global economic system due to effect they have on growth and stability, says Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan
RIYADH: The second annual AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, which Saudi Arabia will host next week, offers a platform to exchange views on global developments and discuss policies and reforms that support inclusive growth and strengthen economic resilience, the Kingdom’s finance minister said.
The event on Feb. 8 and 9 will bring together finance ministers, governors of central banks and policymakers, alongside economic experts and representatives of international financial institutions.
Organized by the Saudi Ministry of Finance in partnership with the International Monetary Fund, it takes place as emerging-market economies face mounting challenges amid rapid global economic change.
Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said the decision to host the conference reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to efforts that support global financial and economic stability, and highlights the growing influence of emerging economies on worldwide growth.
Emerging-market economies represent a “pivotal element” in the global economic system due to the direct impact they have on economic growth and stability, he added.
“The AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies provides a unique platform for exchanging views on global economic developments, and discussing policies and reforms that will support inclusive growth and enhance economic resilience, in light of broader international cooperation that contributes to confronting common challenges,” Al-Jadaan said.
Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF, said the event would help emerging economies deal with growing uncertainty driven by technological change, demographic shifts and geopolitical tensions.
“The AlUla conference provides a vital platform for emerging economies to discuss how they can navigate the risks and embrace the opportunities ahead,” she said.
“In these times of sweeping transformations in the global economy, policymakers face a more challenging and uncertain environment. Countries should work together to strengthen resilience through sound macroeconomic and financial policies.”
