RIYADH – Saudi Arabia yesterday said vaccination against Covid-19 will be mandatory from August 1 to enter any government and private establishment, as well as to use public transport.
The sweeping announcement aimed at boosting the kingdom’s inoculation drive comes just days after authorities said only vaccinated public and private sector workers will be allowed to return to their work place.
Vaccination will be required to “enter any government or private establishment”, as well as to access any entertainment or sports activity, said the Interior Ministry in a statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency.
It will also be required to enter any education institution and use public transport, it added.
The Health Ministry said it has administered more than 12 million coronavirus vaccine doses, in a country with a population of over 34 million.
The country has reported more than 435,000 coronavirus infections and more than 7,000 deaths from Covid-19.
On Monday, the government permitted citizens immunised against Covid-19 to travel abroad, more than a year after they were barred from external trips.
The Interior Ministry said three categories of people will be considered immunised – those who have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, those administered a single dose at least 14 days prior to travel, and people who have recovered from the infection within the previous six months.
Last month, Saudi Arabia announced it will permit only people immunised against Covid-19 to perform the year-round umrah pilgrimage during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. – AFP, May 19, 2021
