90 outlets shut over COVID-19 violations in Saudi Arabia

The municipality of Jeddah governorate carried out 7,781 inspection tours of commercial centers. (SPA)
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Updated 05 July 2021
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90 outlets shut over COVID-19 violations in Saudi Arabia

  • The municipality urged all commercial facilities to respect and abide by regulations to ensure public safety and prevent the virus from spreading

DAMMAM: Municipalities in the Kingdom have shut 90 commercial outlets as part of their efforts to monitor compliance with health and safety measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The Eastern Province municipality carried out 11,078 inspection tours in one week across shopping malls, commercial centers and stores.
These checks resulted in 40 commercial outlets being shut down, while 597 violators were issued with penalties for ignoring health regulations.
The violations included noncompliance with social distancing and mask wearing, leniency in measuring the temperature of customers, overcrowding issues, and a failure to effectively use the Tawakkalna app.
The municipality urged all commercial facilities to respect and abide by regulations to ensure public safety and prevent the virus from spreading.
Jeddah authorities closed 50 commercial outlets for breaching coronavirus protocols.
The municipality of Jeddah governorate carried out 7,781 inspection tours of commercial centers and facilities in two days, identifying 61 violations.
Officials have urged the public to report any suspected health breaches by phoning the 940 call center number or contacting authorities through the Balady app.

 


44.8m phone calls by pilgrims during Eid

Updated 13 sec ago
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44.8m phone calls by pilgrims during Eid

  • 38.04 million were local and 6.76 million were international calls, with a success rate of more than 99 percent
  • In terms of data usage, pilgrims consumed 5,790 terabytes during the holiday

MINA: Pilgrims in Makkah and at the holy sites made a record-breaking 44.8 million telephone calls on Sunday during Eid Al-Adha, Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission said on Monday.

Of those, 38.04 million were local and 6.76 million were international calls, with a success rate of more than 99 percent.

In terms of data usage, pilgrims consumed 5,790 terabytes during the holiday, the commission added, which is equivalent to streaming more than 2.37 million hours of high-definition, 1080p video.

Average daily data consumption reached 779.93 megabytes per subscriber, which was more than double the global average of 380MB.

The mobile internet infrastructure was able to provide an average data-download speed of 376.18 megabits per second and an average upload speed of 48.04Mbps, according to the commission.


National Water Co. conducts tests throughout Hajj

Updated 33 min 32 sec ago
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National Water Co. conducts tests throughout Hajj

  • Company said its operational plan focuses on ensuring the quality of water via round-the-clock field work by teams collecting samples from drinking water sources
  • Has equipped the central laboratory in Makkah with the latest international technology to ensure the quality of water provided to pilgrims is maintained at the highest standard

MINA: The National Water Co. is conducting tests to ensure water quality meets international standards for pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia during Hajj season.

The company said its operational plan focuses on ensuring the quality of water via round-the-clock field work by teams collecting samples from drinking water sources, operational tanks, strategic storage tanks, and water networks at the holy sites.

It confirmed that it has equipped the central laboratory in Makkah with the latest international technology to ensure the quality of water provided to pilgrims is maintained at the highest standard.

Fixed and mobile laboratories in the holy sites conduct tests on samples collected by teams on a continual basis from primary water sources, operational and strategic reservoirs, and water systems in and around Makkah and other holy sites.

The teams consists of highly qualified, specialized staff who conduct over 4,100 tests daily.


Diriyah authority celebrates Eid with artistic performances

Updated 36 min 52 sec ago
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Diriyah authority celebrates Eid with artistic performances

  • Citizens and visitors participated in the events, enjoying the carnival atmosphere in several locations

RIYADH: The Diriyah Gate Development Authority celebrated Eid Al-Adha by organizing a range of artistic and cultural shows.

Citizens and visitors participated in the events, enjoying the carnival atmosphere in several locations, including Diriyah’s parks, squares and neighborhoods, as well as the historic Al-Turaif neighborhood and the Bujairi Terrace.

The four-day events, which kicked off on the first day of Eid, included artistic and cultural programs and live shows in Al-Turaif, in addition to popular arts shows such as Ardah and Samri. About 25,000 gifts were distributed to citizens and visitors enjoying the activities, interactive shows and live music.

Also on the first day of Eid, the authority launched a service to manage the sacrificed animals, in accordance with approved standards and requirements. It supervised the organization and preparation process during the pilgrimage and arranged parking areas and waiting tents, in addition to distributing sacrificial bags to those wishing to perform the ritual.

This year’s events included Arabian horse shows, traditional henna decorations and the distribution of gift. Boxes of sweets were also handed out.

Crowds of people enjoyed Eid Al-Adha events at Bujairi Terrace. These included live musical shows using oud, rababa and qanun instruments, and pavilions where artists drew caricatured portraits of guests and children could have their faces painted.


Neuroradiology saves life of female Iraqi pilgrim 

Updated 17 June 2024
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Neuroradiology saves life of female Iraqi pilgrim 

  • Iraqi pilgrim received treatment at King Abdullah Medical City, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, where the thrombus responsible for the stroke was removed
  • An integrated medical team composed of an emergency doctor, a neurologist, and a radiologist treated the patient

MINA: A female Iraqi pilgrim suffered a stroke that caused her to lose the ability to speak and move on the right side of her body whilst in Saudi Arabia.

She received treatment at King Abdullah Medical City, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, where the thrombus responsible for the stroke was removed.

The Makkah Health Cluster said the Red Crescent transported the patient to the facility as soon as the incident was identified. An integrated medical team composed of an emergency doctor, a neurologist, and a radiologist received the patient who immediately underwent the necessary medical examinations.

A CT scan showed a thrombus in the artery supplying the left lobe of the brain and thus, she was referred to the Interventional Neuroradiology Department.

Thanks to the interdisciplinary integration and rapid procedures, the patient was transferred to the catheterization ward in the Radiology Department. The clot was successfully removed using the latest technology and the patient’s blood supply to the brain was restored without major complications.


Saudi crown prince holds annual reception for officials, dignitaries performing Hajj this year

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holds an annual reception for officials and dignitaries who are performing Hajj.
Updated 15 min 24 sec ago
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Saudi crown prince holds annual reception for officials, dignitaries performing Hajj this year

  • Saudi crown prince stresses necessity of immediately stopping war in Gaza and appeals to international community to take measures to ensure protection of lives

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held an annual reception for officials and dignitaries who are performing Hajj this year.

The reception, held on behalf of King Salman at Mina Palace on Monday, was also attended by the Kingdom’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, several princes, senior scholars, senior GCC officials, ministers, the commanders of military sectors, and scouts who performed Hajj this year.

The crown prince congratulated attendees on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha and prayed that God accept the rituals of the pilgrims and help them complete the pilgrimage in safety and with reassurance.

“We thank God for honoring us with serving the Two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites, taking care of those who visit them, and ensuring their security and safety. We are proud to continue carrying out this great duty, and we are making efforts and harnessing all capabilities to provide comfort for pilgrims from their arrival until their departure,” Prince Mohammed told the gathering.

Talking about the war in Gaza, the crown prince said that “heinous crimes against our brothers in the Strip continue.”

He stressed the necessity of immediately stopping the war and appealed to the international community to take all measures to ensure the protection of lives in Gaza.

“We also stress the importance of implementing the resolutions recently issued by the UN Security Council regarding the proposal for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

“The Kingdom renews its call to the international community to recognize the independent state of Palestine, along 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital to enable the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights and achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace,” the crown prince said.