Saudi says vaccination needed to use public transport, enter government and private offices

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday confirmed that it would restrict access to certain facilities and services within the country only to those who have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

The state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted an official source at the Ministry of Interior who said that, starting August 1, 2021, vaccination against Covid-19 is required for the following activities:

– Entering any economic, commercial, cultural, entertainment or sporting activity

– Entering any cultural, scientific, social, or entertainment event

– Entering any government or private entities

– Entering any government or private educational institutes

– Using public transport

The kingdom will rely on the Tawakkalna app to check the immunisation status of citizens and expatriates.

The official added that the ministries of health and education in the country will agree to define the age group of students who will be allowed to resume in-person learning at educational institutions across the country.

اشتراط التحصين المعتمد من وزارة الصحة ابتداءً من يوم الأحد 22 ذو الحجة 1442هـ الموافق 1 أغسطس 2021م. pic.twitter.com/z3Pmw8puIL

— وزارة الداخلية (@MOISaudiArabia) May 18, 2021

Saudi Arabia resumed international travel from Monday, May 17, although entry is banned from 13 countries. The 13 countries facing the ban include Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Somalia, Democratic Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Belarus, and India.

Read: Saudi resumes international travel with ban on 13 countries including India, Lebanon

All those travelling to Saudi Arabia, both nationals and foreigners, who have had two doses of a vaccine approved in the kingdom will be able to enter with no period of quarantine from Monday.

All non-citizens who have not received the Covid-19 vaccine and arrive in Saudi starting Thursday, May 20, will be subjected to seven days of mandatory paid institutional quarantine.

Read: Saudi Arabia introduces 7-day paid institutional quarantine for unvaccinated arrivals

As of May 18, Saudi reported a total of 435,027 Covid-19 infections, including 8,078 active cases.

Local media reported that more than 11.8 million vaccine doses have been administered at a rate of 137,068 per day. Therefore, around 34 per cent of the kingdom’s population has received at least one dose of the vaccine.