RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) announced on Thursday the updated health protocols approved by the Public Health Authority (Weqaya), exempting certain groups of people from attending workplaces in public, private and non-profit sectors amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, those in the exempt categories need to submit medical reports to their employers. According to the updated protocols, the categories exempt from attending workplaces are the following: — Individuals over 60 years — Persons with chronic lung disease or severe asthma (for those who have been hospitalized at least once in the past six months) — Chronic heart disease (1- heart failure, 2- coronary artery disease with at least one heart attack during the past year) — Hereditary immunodeficiency, anemia (thalassemia and sickle cell anemia) — Acquired Immunodeficiency (1- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), 2- Organ transplant, 3- Use of immunosuppressive drugs, 4- Use of cancer drugs). — Severe obesity (Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40) — Chronic medical conditions: 1- Uncontrolled diabetes (Types I and II), which has required hospitalization at least once during the past six months, 2- High blood pressure (hypertension) that necessitated hospitalization at least once during the past six months, 3- Chronic kidney diseases, and 4- Liver cirrhosis). — People with special needs (1- Inability to implement social distancing due to motor impairment (physical or motor disability), 2- Inability to understand or apply preventive measures due to intellectual (mental) disability). The ministry pointed out that the following groups are not included in the above-mentioned exempt categories: — Those who are "immunized" as shown in the "Tawakkalna" app (renal dialysis patients, active cancer patients, organ transplant patients, and obesity with a BMI of "over 40"). — Immunized cases according to the status update in the "Tawakkalna" app: (vaccinated, vaccinated first dose, recovered)
