An Official Source at the Ministry of Interior today announced that, based on what was submitted by the health authorities, and in light of the progress in immunizing the community and the sharp drop in the daily of COVID-19 cases, a royal approval was issued to ease health precautions starting Sunday, October 17, 2021, as follows: First: Wearing masks is no longer obligatory in open places - except for the excluded places - while continuing to be mandatory to be worn in closed areas. Second: The precautionary measures for those who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are eased as follows: 1- Allowing full capacity attendance at the Grand Holy Mosque, with obligating workers and visitors to wear a mask at all times in the mosque, yet maintaining the use of the "Eatmarna" or "Tawakkalna" apps for obtaining a permit to perform Umrah and prayer to control the number of worshippers at the same time. 2- Allowing full capacity attendance at the Prophet's Holy Mosque, with obligating workers and visitors to wear a mask at all times in the mosque, yet maintaining the use of the "Eatmarna" or "Tawakkalna" apps for obtaining a permit to pray or visit Al Rawdah and limit the number of attendance at the same time. 3- Canceling social distancing and allowing the use of full capacity in gatherings, public places, means of transportation, restaurants, and cinemas. 4- The number of attendants of events in wedding halls will not be restricted, however, the application of precautionary measures is emphasized due to the seriousness of the behaviors associated with such events. Third: Two-does immunization is required to enter all sites and activities referred to in the aforementioned, except for those who are excluded as per the Tawakkalna app, yet abidance by the relevant precautionary measures and wearing masks is mandatory for all. Fourth: Social distancing and wearing masks will continue to be applied in facilities where health status checks are not applied through the Tawakkalna app. Fifth: The Public Health Authority (Weqaya) will prepare the preventive measures that must be adhered to for all activities mentioned (Second). Sixth: The public and private sectors are to check the status of immunization in the "Tawakkalna" application for all those who wish to enter any facility, and to follow up on compliance with the precautionary and preventive measures taken by the concerned authorities to confront the pandemic, including wearing a mask. Seventh: The relevant authorities implement the penalties prescribed for violators of the precautionary and preventive measures taken by the concerned authorities to confront the pandemic. Eighth: The Ministry of Health will continue following up on the number of hospitalized Covid-19 cases, especially in intensive care units, and decide accordingly whenever there is a need to tighten precautionary measures at the level of cities, governorates, or regions. The Official Source reiterated that these new instructions are subject to periodic review per local and international developments.
