JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday banned expatriates from traveling to the kingdom from 20 countries to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Exceptions to the ban, which begins at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, are diplomats, and medical staff and their families.
Travel will be banned from the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey, as well as the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Japan.
The ban also applies to travelers who transited through any of the 20 countries in the 14 days before a planned visit to the kingdom. Many passengers had been using Dubai as a transit hub from countries where there are no direct flights to Saudi Arabia, an option that is now no longer available.
The new action comes amid a global surge in cases of COVID-19 linked to variations in the original coronavirus, first detected in England, South Africa and Brazil, and fears that vaccines being rolled out worldwide may be less effective against them.
Britain began door-to-door testing of 80,000 people on Tuesday in an effort to stem the spread of the highly infectious South African variant, and there has been an increased spread of the English variant in Sweden.
Health officials in the Kingdom warned this week that stricter measures would be necessary to curb the spread of the virus if the public continued to flout regulations on social distancing and a ban on large gatherings. Saudi Arabia reported 310 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, almost four times the number a month ago.
Flights to and from the Kingdom were first suspended on March 14, 2020, two weeks after the World Health Organization declared that the coronavirus outbreak was a pandemic. Entry to Saudi Arabia by air, land and sea resumed on Jan. 3.
Saudi Arabia suspends entry from 20 countries, including Pakistan
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Saudi Arabia suspends entry from 20 countries, including Pakistan
- Exceptions to the ban, which begins at 9pm on Wednesday, are diplomats and medical staff and their families
- UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Brazil, South Africa, India, Indonesia, among nations banned
Riyadh conference discusses future of occupational health
- Minister launches initiatives to enhance Kingdom’s workplace safety
RIYADH: The seventh Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference opened in Riyadh on Sunday under the theme “The Future of Occupational Safety and Health.”
The three-day event was inaugurated by Ahmed Al-Rajhi, minister of human resources and social development and chairman of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.
Al-Rajhi launched initiatives to enhance Saudi Arabia’s occupational safety and health system, including the establishment of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the National Compliance and Excellence Incentives Program, and the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Guide.
Al-Rajhi said that work-related deaths in Saudi Arabia have dropped to less than one per 100,000 workers since the council’s establishment.
Meanwhile, the number of locals in occupational safety and health roles has risen by 130 percent, reaching more than 29,000 by the end of 2024, compared with 2022.
Al-Rajhi also highlighted improvements in safety compliance and automation. “The compliance rate with safety standards reached 72 percent by the end of 2024, and the automation of safety procedures exceeded 62 percent, up from 30 percent in 2020.”
The conference draws high-ranking officials, experts and specialists from Saudi Arabia and worldwide to discuss the future of occupational safety and health, as well as the challenges and opportunities in global labor markets.
It covers six key themes: workplace sustainability; digitization and technology in occupational safety; the economics of safety; the future of research and innovation; emerging challenges; and human behavior and safety culture.
This focus reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to improving work environments and achieving professional standards in line with global best practices, a key goal of Saudi Vision 2030.
The event highlights national efforts, displays modern technical trends, supports specialized research, and promotes the Kingdom’s legislative framework to international standards, contributing to the success of major national projects.
Al-Rajhi referred to international reports on workplace challenges. “International reports highlight the serious challenges facing work environments globally. Approximately 3 million worker deaths are recorded each year due to accidents and occupational diseases.”
He said about “395 million non-fatal work injuries occur annually. Statistics show 23 million injuries and 19,000 deaths from heat stress, and 15 percent of workers globally suffer from mental disorders related to stressful work environments.”
The conference program includes specialized scientific sessions, 60 workshops, 20 dialogue sessions, and the Global Occupational Safety and Health Hackathon, where 30 innovative projects are being presented.
An accompanying exhibition features local and international organizations, with several significant agreements expected and new initiatives to advance the Kingdom’s occupational safety system.
The ministry also emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to securing a healthy work environment and ensuring worker safety, which enhances labor market competitiveness and overall quality of life.
Al-Rajhi said: “In line with Vision 2030, we aim to make work environments safer, higher quality, and more attractive. This supports employee well-being, boosts labor market competitiveness, and fosters a culture of safety and sustainability. Therefore, the Kingdom established the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.”
The General Organization for Social Insurance launched a directory for occupational safety and health standards at the conference, serving as a unified reference for specialists, establishments, and relevant entities in the Kingdom.
This initiative aims to enhance safety and health standards while protecting workers from occupational hazards, as part of its broader strategy.
Based on international best practices, the directory provides clear preventive standards to help reduce injuries and hazards.
It covers more than 4,500 standards in six main sectors: public industries; construction; agriculture; maritime activities; transport; and mining. It also classifies more than 70 sectors based on the national directory of economic activities.
Mango and Tropical Fruits Festival to start this week in Jazan
- Region’s oldest agricultural festival is organized by the local branch of MEWA in cooperation with Sabya
- Over the past 20 years, the festival has made significant contributions to increasing interest in the cultivation and expansion of mangoes and tropical fruits
RIYADH: Jazan is set to open its 21st annual Mango and Tropical Fruits Festival next Wednesday at Sabya Front where farmers will showcase more than 60 varieties of mangoes native to the region and other tropical fruits.
Mohammed Al-Atif, director general of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture’s Jazan branch, said that the festival is an ideal annual opportunity for farmers and entrepreneurs to market their crops and products and expand their marketing base.
He pointed out that the region is home to more than 3.36 million trees of the six most popular tropical fruits: mango, fig, banana, guava, papaya and custard apple. From this the area produces of 123,311 tons of fruit annually, SPA reported.
The region’s oldest agricultural festival, which began in May 2005, the Mango and Tropical Fruits Festival is organized by the local branch of MEWA in cooperation with Sabya, a subdivision of the Jazan region, and other partners.
Al-Atif described the festival as one of the drivers that has helped develop the cultivation of mangoes and tropical fruits, leading to an increase in the number of farmers, farms, trees, and production quantities.
Over the past 20 years, the festival has made significant contributions to increasing interest in the cultivation and expansion of mangoes and tropical fruits, investing in farmers’ efforts, and translating government plans aimed at boosting social and economic development.
The cultivation of mangoes and tropical fruits in Jazan has made notable progress, according to the National Center for Research and Development of Sustainable Agriculture, known as Estidamah. More than 70 varieties of mangoes and tropical fruits — including guava, papaya, pineapple, and banana — have been cultivated and evaluated in the center’s research fields.
Dr. Khalid Al-Rohily, the acting director general of Estidamah, said: “We believe in the importance of research and development in strengthening the agricultural sector, especially in the cultivation of mangoes and tropical fruits, which represent a major economic asset for the Jazan region.
“We are committed to supporting farmers by transferring knowledge and modern technologies, enabling them to improve productivity and enhance economic growth for beneficiaries.”
The center’s farm fields span over 40 hectares, where they conduct experiments to improve production quality and, later, transfer research results.
These initiatives are part of the center’s vision to support farmers and promote the use of modern agricultural technologies and practices, contributing to sustainable development in the agricultural sector.
These efforts are expected to boost productivity and improve farmers’ incomes, further strengthening Jazan’s position as a leading agricultural hub in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia chairs parliamentary talks in Algeria
- Meeting was held on the sidelines of the 38th Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union in Algiers
RIYADH: The Association of Secretaries-General of Arab Parliaments held its 46th meeting in the Algerian capital, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
It was chaired by Mohammed Al-Mutairi, secretary-general of the Saudi Shoura Council and chairman of the association, in the presence of heads of Arab councils and parliaments.
The meeting focused on developing employees’ technical and administrative skills, the SPA reported.
The secretaries-general shared insights on best practices in human resource development, emphasizing skill enhancement and adequate training for legislative staff.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 38th Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union in Algiers, where the agenda was reviewed and various topics related to cooperation and the strengthening of joint Arab action were discussed.
Established on April 3, 1995, the association aims to build bridges of cooperation between Arab and international councils and parliaments.
Hajj transport teams stationed at 20 locations
- Stationed at more than 20 locations, the authority’s teams are operating around the clock to assist pilgrims arriving in Makkah and Madinah
RIYADH: Inspection teams from the Transport General Authority have begun early operations at entry points to the Makkah region, the holy sites, and Madinah as part of preparations to serve pilgrims during Hajj.
Stationed at more than 20 locations, the authority’s teams are operating around the clock to assist pilgrims arriving in Makkah and Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Their daily operations focus on ensuring a smooth experience for pilgrims and verifying that all licensed operators comply with regulations.
The authority has instructed all transport operators to follow approved guidelines during the pilgrimage season.
These include using designated routes, securing operating licenses, and avoiding entry into Hajj-regulated areas without authorization.
It also emphasized that drivers must wear approved uniforms and obtain vehicle operating cards, the SPA reported.
The authority highlighted its continued cooperation with government agencies to ensure safe and secure transport for all pilgrims.
The public s been advised that reports and inquiries can be submitted via the unified number 19929 or through the authority’s Beneficiary Care account on social media.
Saudi Arabia activates first smart buoy in Arabian Gulf
RIYADH: The National Center for Environmental Compliance has activated the first smart buoy in the Arabian Gulf at King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It is part of a national initiative to deploy 35 smart buoys across the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf by the end of 2025 as part of a comprehensive marine and coastal environmental monitoring strategy.
Anwar Alnahdi, the center’s general manager of monitoring operations, said that the deployment was progressing rapidly.
The first was launched off Jeddah Islamic Port, followed by deployments in Yanbu and Jazan, and the project is now extending to the Arabian Gulf, the SPA added.
Alnahdi said that the full network of 35 buoys will be operational by the end of 2025.
He added that the first buoy in the Arabian Gulf represented a major step in environmental monitoring, allowing real-time data transmission from both the Kingdom’s eastern and western coasts to its major ports.
This will provide vital data for environmental oversight and decision-making, Alnahdi added.
The solar-powered buoys, which are equipped with smart sensors, measure parameters like temperature, salinity, oxygen levels, dissolved solids, and chemicals.
They also feature wireless systems for real-time data transmission, enabling swift detection and response to pollutants.
Alnahdi stressed the importance of this technology, given the Kingdom’s active maritime traffic and ongoing port development, which could lead to pollutants threatening the marine and coastal environment if not addressed promptly.
