Only double-jabbed people to be considered immunized starting Oct. 10: Saudi health ministry

Only double-jabbed people will be considered immunized as of Oct. 10, following updates to Saudi Arabia’s government-approved Tawakkalna app. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 04 October 2021
Follow

Only double-jabbed people to be considered immunized starting Oct. 10: Saudi health ministry

  • More than half of population is fully vaccinated

JEDDAH: Only those who have taken two doses of COVID-19 vaccine will be considered immunized starting Oct. 10, following updates to Saudi Arabia’s government-approved Tawakkalna app, the Ministry of Health said on Sunday.

The update follows a recent decision from authorities requiring double vaccination to attend any economic, commercial, cultural, entertainment, sport, or tourism activity in Saudi Arabia starting from 6 a.m. on Oct. 10. 

Tawakkalna was launched last year to help track COVID-19 infections. It has since  updated to include vaccination information and infection status, while also functioning as a COVID-19 “passport.”

Those officially exempt from having the vaccine will not be affected by the new rule. 

“Taking both doses of the vaccine is hugely important because it is the only way to protect society,” said Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly. “Recovering from COVID-19 is not enough by itself and a single dose after recovering from the disease is also not enough to confront mutants of the virus around the world.”

On Sunday, the ministry reported just 41 new cases and 49 new recoveries.

These latest figures bring the total number of COVID-19 cases to 547,262 and the number of recoveries to 536,330. A further two deaths were reported, raising the toll to 8,724.

FASTFACT

On Sunday, the ministry reported just 41 new cases and 49 new recoveries.

Of the new cases, 11 were in Riyadh, 10 were in Jeddah, and there were three in Alkhobar and Madinah.

There are currently 2,208 active cases, 181 of which are in critical care.

There have been more than 42.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Saudi Arabia so far, with 53.5 percent of the country’s 34.8 million population completing the course.

The regions with the highest number of vaccinated residents are Baha with 68.6 percent, Riyadh with 68.3 percent, and the Eastern Province with 66.8 percent. In Jouf, 51.5 percent of residents have completed their vaccination course.

There were 46,499 PCR tests carried out in Saudi Arabia in the past 24 hours, raising the total number to over 29 million so far.

Last year, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched procedures to enable the gradual return of pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques after a seven-month hiatus due to the onset of COVID-19. 

It plans to expand the capacity of Makkah’s Grand Mosque for pilgrims.

“Last year we announced the gradual increase in pilgrim capacity, the first phase of the plan with only 6,000 pilgrims allowed per day. The number gradually increased in every phase, reaching up to 70,000 pilgrims a day in recent days,” said ministry spokesman Hesham Abdulmonem Saeed. “We’re working with all relevant authorities to continue raising the daily quota in the next period, continue ensuring a safe journey for all visitors to the Two Holy Mosques, and ensure no COVID-19 infections. To this day, there has not been a single case and we will continue working on keeping the momentum going.”

The ministry has developed four main service centers to receive, gather and transport pilgrims safely, based on the adopted precautionary measures.

As of September, more than 21,000 Umrah visas were issued for those arriving from outside the Kingdom.

“This is positive evidence of the increase in demand rates for those coming to perform Umrah from outside the Kingdom,” Saeed added.

The first group of foreign Umrah pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier in August after a temporary ban to curb the spread of COVID-19 was lifted.

They are required to present a certificate on arrival that has been validated in their home country and states details of them receiving a Kingdom-approved vaccine. 

The Kingdom has approved vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca.


Saudi Arabia presents space advances at G20 meeting in Brazil

Updated 14 September 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia presents space advances at G20 meeting in Brazil

  • This year’s meeting, initiated during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency, focused on “Space Economy and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities.”

RIYADH: Saudi Space Agency Vice Chairman and CEO Mohammed Al-Tamimi led the Saudi delegation at the fifth G20 Space Economy Leaders Meeting in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, from Sept. 11 to 13.

This year’s meeting, initiated during Saudi Arabia’s G20 presidency, focused on “Space Economy and Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities.”

Al-Tamimi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s advances in its space sector and the Kingdom’s commitment to using space technology for sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

He engaged in discussions on innovation, entrepreneurship and climate change, showcasing the Saudi Space Agency’s efforts to improve infrastructure, attract investment and apply space technology for sustainable development.

Saudi Arabia signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Brazilian Space Agency to enhance peaceful space exploration collaboration.

Al-Tamimi also held meetings with his Brazilian and Indian counterparts to discuss space economy cooperation and explored investment opportunities with leaders of Brazilian space companies.


No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state: Prince Turki

Updated 14 September 2024
Follow

No Saudi-Israeli normalization without Palestinian state: Prince Turki

  • Ex-intelligence chief: Kingdom has led the way in trying to resolve conflict
  • West has not done enough to pressure Israel; ‘simply harsh talk’ has ‘gotten us nowhere’

LONDON: There will be no normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel until an independent Palestinian state is established, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the former head of the Kingdom’s intelligence services, has warned. 

During a talk at London-based think tank Chatham House, the former Saudi ambassador to the US also discussed Washington’s role in the peace process as the Gaza war approaches its first anniversary, and how talks before the outbreak of hostilities had been broadly positive.

He said the US is keen on the resumption of talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia to strengthen regional security and to forge economic ties, but Riyadh’s position is that “if there’s a Palestinian state that Israel accepts to come (into) existence, then we can talk about normalization with Israel.”

The prince added: “Before Oct. 7 … talks not only progressed along those lines, but also the Kingdom invited a Palestinian delegation to come and talk directly to the Americans about what it is that might bring about a Palestinian state.

“I’m not privy to those talks so I don’t know what happened between the Palestinians and the Americans, but the Kingdom’s position has always been we won’t speak for the Palestinians. They have to do it for themselves. Unfortunately, of course, the Oct. 7 (Hamas attack against Israel) put an end to those talks.”

Prince Turki said the establishment of a Palestinian state is not only crucial for Israeli ties with Saudi Arabia but with the rest of the Muslim world as well.

“A Palestinian state is a primary condition for Saudi Arabia to have normalization with Israel, but … on the Israeli side, the whole government is saying no Palestinian state,” he added.

Prince Turki said for Saudi Arabia, an independent Palestine would encapsulate the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem.

He added that the Kingdom has led the way in trying to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict, citing the 1981 King Fahd Peace Plan and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative proposed by King Abdullah.

During the current Gaza war, “the Kingdom led the Muslim world, and not only summits with the Arabs but with the (rest of the) Muslim world, and also … the diplomatic missions that have been taking place to convince the world that there must be an end to the fighting, led by the Saudi foreign minister,” Prince Turki said.

“The Kingdom has been in the forefront of condemning the Israeli onslaught on the Palestinians, not just in Gaza but equally in the West Bank.”

He criticized the US and other Western nations for not applying more pressure on Israel to end the war, citing how the UK had only recently begun to suspend certain arms export licenses to Israel following the election of a new government in July.

“I’d like to see more done by the UK,” he said. “I think, for example, the UK … should recognize the state of Palestine. It’s long overdue.”

Prince Turki said the US could apply direct pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the actions of his government and military, and should address funding and lobbying by groups and individuals sympathetic to Israel.

“I think the US has enormous tools to affect Israel which it isn’t using, not just simply … denial of supply of weapons and material to the Israelis,” the prince added.

“A lot of financial help goes to Israel from the US. If some of the privileges that (the) Israeli lobby, for example, in America, enjoys — of tax-free contributions to Israel — can be withdrawn from those Israeli lobbyists, that will (put) great pressure on Israel.”

In the US, “you have to register as a lobbyist for a specific country, or be prosecuted, if you want to talk for that country, but a lot of organizations in America do that for Israel and still enjoy a tax-free status because they’re considered not representing Israel per se, but simply as philanthropic or humanitarian groupings,” he said.

“There are many tools that are available to the US, not simply harsh talk, which seems to have gotten us nowhere. But is America ready to do that? As I said, I’m not too optimistic about that.”


Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of chemistry’

Updated 14 September 2024
Follow

Riyadh festival pays tribute to ‘father of chemistry’

Riyadh: Jabir ibn Hayyan, a renowned Muslim scientist, is known as the “father of chemistry” for his pioneering contributions.

Born in 721, he discovered key chemical compounds still used today.

The 2024 STEAM Festival at King Salman Science Oasis in Riyadh is highlighting the early scientist’s life and legacy, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Running until Sept. 30 under the theme “Fun Chemistry,” the festival offers educational, informative, and entertaining experiences.

Ibn Hayyan’s innovations, such as distillation, greatly advanced chemistry in both the Islamic world and the West. His works, translated into Latin, spread knowledge widely.

Notable discoveries include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, gold water, and silver nitrate. He also explored practical uses, such as steel production, waterproofing, and creating artificial pearls.

Scholar Ibn Khaldun praised him as “the imam of chemistry writers,” and chemistry was sometimes called “the science of Jabir.”

The festival aims to instill pride in Saudi Arabia’s scientific heritage and align with future goals.

It features 100 workshops, panel discussions, live shows, and interactive exhibits across STEAM fields, exploring past, present, and future science and technology.

The event showcases local innovations, sustainable practices, and modern technologies, reflecting the Kingdom’s dedication to scientific progress.

With over 25 pavilions, the festival covers the history of chemistry, petrochemical innovations, environmental challenges, and sustainable solutions tied to Vision 2030.


COP29 president calls for united action on climate finance goals

Updated 14 September 2024
Follow

COP29 president calls for united action on climate finance goals

  • ‘We still risk falling short,’ Mukhtar Babayev warns after Baku talks

Mukhtar Babayev, president of COP29, has called for global unity as the world approaches a critical turning point in climate change negotiations.

Speaking during discussions in the Azerbaijan capital Baku, Babayev said that talks are now approaching a “more focused dialogue” on collective climate finance.

“The conclusion of the final meeting of the ad hoc work program marks the beginning of the end,” Babayev said, indicating a shift toward a framework that will guide discussions leading up to COP29. 

In addition, the president also expressed his belief that a comprehensive draft negotiating text could be developed as the foundation for the COP29 presidency’s final phase.

This preparation is crucial, as nations strive to achieve a new goal in climate finance that aligns with the urgent demands of the environmental crisis, he said. 

“We have full confidence in the co-chairs of the ad hoc work program as they now develop a substantive framework for a draft negotiating text. This substantive framework will serve as the basis for the COP29 presidency’s final period of intensive political and technical engagements as we prepare to nail down a deal on a new climate finance goal at COP29,” Babayev said.

However, the president also warned that the road ahead would be full of challenges that will require persistence and cooperation from all countries involved.

“We are on the right track and have come a long way, but we still risk falling short. Determination and leadership is needed from all parties to bridge the gaps that still divide us in this critical final phase. Everyone now needs to take ownership of finding an agreement.

“Sticking to set positions and failing to move toward each other will leave too much ground to be covered at COP29,” he said, adding that the stakes have never been higher.

Babayev said that billions of people worldwide are counting on leaders to deliver climate finance on a scale that is equal to the urgency of the climate change crisis.

“We will spare no effort to deliver a fair and ambitious new goal in Baku at COP29,” he said.

As the COP29 presidency prepares for the final negotiations in November, the world is watching as leaders discuss obligatory finance to combat climate change, and reduce its effects on vulnerable countries.

 


AlUla Dates Festival boosts local agriculture

Updated 14 September 2024
Follow

AlUla Dates Festival boosts local agriculture

  • Workshops and training programs aim to enhance the quality and competitiveness of AlUla dates in both local and global markets

Riyadh: The AlUla Dates Festival, organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla, began this week with a strong turnout from farmers and investors.

On its first day, the festival received 110 tonnes of dates, highlighting the region’s rich agricultural heritage and growth potential.

The event, a collaboration between the commission and various public and private entities, supports local farmers and promotes sustainable agriculture.

Workshops and training programs aim to enhance the quality and competitiveness of AlUla dates in both local and global markets.

For investors, the festival offers an opportunity to acquire premium dates from a renowned region.

The festival runs through to Nov. 9, held every Friday and Saturday in AlUla.

Dates are economically and socially important in AlUla, with about three million palm trees producing 120,000 tonnes annually, making the region a key player in the agricultural sector.

The festival showcases the diversity and quality of AlUla’s date varieties.