Saudi Arabia imposes new double vaccination rule for travel and public spaces

People wanting to board a plane or other public transport in Saudi Arabia will have to have received two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. (File/AFP)
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Updated 02 October 2021
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Saudi Arabia imposes new double vaccination rule for travel and public spaces

  • The Kingdom recorded three deaths from COVID-19 and 45 new infections on Friday
  • The total number of recoveries in the Kingdom has increased to 536,226

RIYADH: People wanting to board a plane or other modes of public transport in Saudi Arabia will have to have received two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, the interior ministry said on Friday.
The rule will come into effect on October 10 and also extends to participating in any cultural, scientific, social or recreational events.
People who have not been double jabbed will also not be able to participate in any economic, commercial, cultural, recreational, sports or tourism activities.
Entering any governmental or private establishment will also be prohibited for those who have not had two doses of a vaccine. 
The Kingdom recorded three deaths from COVID-19 and 45 new infections on Friday.
The total number of recoveries in the Kingdom increased to 536,226 after 48 more patients recovered from the virus.
A total of 8,719 people have succumbed to the virus in the Kingdom so far.


Saudi food safety watchdog signs MoU with Central Islamic Council of Thailand

Updated 16 February 2026
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Saudi food safety watchdog signs MoU with Central Islamic Council of Thailand

  • Partnership aims to strengthen cooperation, develop global halal ecosystem

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with the Central Islamic Council of Thailand on the sidelines of the third Makkah Halal Forum, a press release by the Saudi food safety watchdog said Monday.
The event took place at the Makkah Chamber Exhibitions and Events Center.
The signing ceremony was attended by Sheikh Saad bin Nasser Al-Shathri, adviser at the royal court and a member of the Council of Senior Scholars; Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, minister of commerce; Saad bin Othman Al-Qasabi, governor of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization; Hisham bin Saad Al-Jadhey, CEO of the SFDA and chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Halal Center; and Abdullah Saleh Kamel, chairman of the board of directors of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and president of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce.
The MoU was signed by Abdulaziz Al-Rashoudi, CEO of the Saudi Halal Center, and Maj. Gen. Surin Palare, CICOT secretary-general.
The partnership aims to strengthen cooperation between both sides and develop the global halal ecosystem.
By strengthening the sector’s international standing, this collaboration will enhance the role of halal trade in diversifying the economy and opening new horizons for products in global markets.
This cooperation builds on the Saudi Halal Center’s efforts to establish the halal mark as a globally trusted standard. 

Furthermore, it extends the international reach of the Halal Academy to train professionals and build capacity, thereby strengthening global confidence in halal products.
By taking this step, the SFDA continues to expand its regional and international presence, consolidating Saudi Arabia’s role as a leader in establishing high-standard, reliable halal systems and ensuring that halal products remain competitive and trusted worldwide.