Saudi Arabia to make coronavirus vaccine free for citizens and residents

Muslim pilgrims wearing protective face masks arrive to circle the Kaaba at the Grand mosque during the annual Haj pilgrimage amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia July 29, 2020. (Reuters)
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Updated 24 November 2020
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Saudi Arabia to make coronavirus vaccine free for citizens and residents

  • It hopes the vaccines would cover 70 percent of the Kingdom’s population by the end of 2021

JEDDAH: The Saudi Ministry of Health is aiming to offer free vaccines to 70 percent of citizens and expats in the Kingdom who have not yet contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Officials are hoping to have met the target for inoculations by the end of next year.

“Those who have not tested positive for COVID-19 will be given priority in the vaccine campaign in the coming months,” said Dr. Abdullah Asiri, the ministry’s assistant undersecretary for preventive health.

However, under-16s are not to be vaccinated unless research or tests prove there to be a need, he added.

He noted that the Kingdom planned to announce a clear schedule of vaccinations arrival to the country in the coming weeks.

“The Kingdom worked on two paths to obtain the vaccine, through the COVAX organization, which the G20 had a role in creating and financing.

“Saudi Arabia will obtain a large amount of vaccines through this facility, while the second track is direct contracting with the big companies to cover the gap that cannot be covered through COVAX,” Asiri said.

COVAX is a global initiative aimed at working with vaccine manufacturers to provide countries around the world with equitable access to safe and effective vaccines once they are licensed and approved.

Asiri pointed out that obtaining effective vaccines required a long preparation plan and supply chain, and time for the vaccine to arrive in large enough quantities to the countries requiring it.

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The Kingdom plans to announce a clear schedule of vaccine arrival in the coming weeks.

“Therefore, what will be released this year is not expected to be in the large quantities that would affect the pandemic’s trajectory, which isn’t expected before mid-2021,” he added.

Assistant to the minister of health and official spokesman, Dr. Muhammad Al-Abd Al-Aly, said that the ministry would only provide COVID-19 vaccines that were effective against the virus, had no side effects, and were approved by the authorities concerned with granting licenses.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia recorded 19 new COVID-19-related deaths on Monday taking to 5,796 the total number of people in the country who had now died after contracting the virus.

There were 231 new cases reported in the Kingdom, putting the total so far at 355,489. Officials said 5,877 cases were still active, of which 765 patients were in a serious or critical condition.

According to the Ministry of Health, 46 of the newly recorded cases were in Riyadh, 18 in Makkah and Jeddah, and 11 in Madinah.

In addition, 445 patients had recovered from COVID-19, moving the total number of recoveries in the Kingdom up to 343,816.

Saudi Arabia has so far conducted 9,295,599 polymerase chain reaction tests, with 40,395 carried out in the last 24 hours.


Saudi Arabia takes part in celebrations for International Day of Happiness

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Saudi Arabia takes part in celebrations for International Day of Happiness

  • Theme for this year’s event is ‘Caring and Sharing,’ highlighting benevolence, empathy and trust
  • UN proclaimed the day in 2012

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is taking part in global celebrations for the International Day of Happiness held annually on March 20.

The day was proclaimed by the UN in 2012.

The Kingdom launched the Quality of Life Program in 2018, a key element of Vision 2030, to promote balanced lifestyles and create supportive cultural, recreational and sporting environments that enhance the happiness of Saudi citizens.

The International Day of Happiness highlights the need for global cooperation to improve social, economic and environmental well-being, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The theme for this year’s event is “Caring and Sharing,” highlighting the importance of benevolence, empathy, and trust as vital drivers of both individual and national happiness.

International and regional organizations, civil society and individuals can work through educational activities to promote a shift toward prioritizing human happiness, the SPA added.


New Arab-inspired food market lights up Ramadan nights in Pakistan’s twin cities

Updated 20 March 2025
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New Arab-inspired food market lights up Ramadan nights in Pakistan’s twin cities

  • Market set up under Chandni Chowk flyover on first day of Ramadan will operate after the holy month ends
  • Sellers and customers alike see it as a more spacious alternative to Rawalpindi’s historic Kartarpura Street 

RAWALPINDI: Usama Iqbal Khawaja RAWALPINDI: Visitors to the newly established New Kartarpura Food Street at Chandni Chowk are immediately drawn to an unusual sight — a group of men wearing long, ankle-length robes, typical of the Middle East and North Africa, their heads covered in ghutras, spinning lassi with wooden ladles in large metal pots. 

Food vendor Lahore 0 Kilometer is one of around 30 eateries to spring up on Rawalpindi’s new food street, which is seen as a more spacious, less crowded and family-friendly alternative to the city’s historic Kartarpura Street.

The old street, part of Rawalpindi’s Sikh district and the city’s main commercial area in the 19th century, has become a major food hub over the recent decades. It is famous for dishes such as nihari, a stew of tender beef or mutton meat with bone marrow, and siri paye, a traditional breakfast meal of cow or goat head and trotters.

Lassi, both salty and sweet, remains a key attraction, with many vendors coming from Lahore and Gujranwala to sell the yogurt–based beverage, a staple at iftar and sahoor meals — especially when Ramadan falls in the warmer months.

However, customers and vendors alike have long complained of traffic congestion and crowds.

This year, many stalls and sellers have been shifted to the New Kartarpura Food Street. Set up under the Chandni Chowk flyover on the first day of Ramadan, it will continue to operate once the holy month is over.

“Our main branch is in Kartarpura, but this venue has created a new trend, a proper space for families,” Abdul Latif Rashid, from the famed Kala Khan Nihari House, told Arab News. “Because of that, the [public] response here has been very good.”

Organizer Raja Usama said the idea for the new market was inspired by Ramadan food festivals in Dubai.

“Different kinds of food are available here,” he told Arab News. “Small new businesses and young people are also being promoted. Families are being given a good environment.”

At Lahore 0 Kilometer, Muhammad Hamza said people were coming from both Rawalpindi and Islamabad to try their lassi, available in seven flavors.

“We have great love for Arab countries. The attire I am wearing has been given a lot of respect by the [local] people, and I wish to wear the same attire when I visit Saudi Arabia,” Hamza told Arab News, as people stopped to take photos of him preparing lassi in his thobe and ghutra. 

For visitors like Mahnoor Kareem, a Chinese language instructor, the new food street provides much-needed respite to the old, overcrowded Kartarpura.

“Kartarpura in Rawalpindi is very famous, especially for sehri [sahoor], but we never went there because it’s always too crowded. Most people prefer to come here with their families,” she said. “We tried their paye and lassi, and we really liked it.”

Kanwal Zahra, who sells Pakistani cuisine, has also set up shop at the new market. She said: “We serve traditional dishes passed down from our grandmothers, roti made from pure wheat flour, special jaggery and sugar tea, palak paneer, and lassi.”

There are more innovative offerings available, too.

Dumpling vendor Meena Nabeel told Arab News: “Initially, people said they did not eat momos, especially boys. But once they try, they come back with their friends and say that it is good, they like the taste. The filling and dough get a lot of praise. Our sauces also receive a lot of compliments.”


Saudi crown prince, Pakistan PM discuss relations 

Updated 20 March 2025
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Saudi crown prince, Pakistan PM discuss relations 

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting in Jeddah on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The pair discussed bilateral relations, ways to boost cooperation in various fields, and the latest regional and international developments.

Saudi and Pakistani senior officials attended the meeting.

 

 


Saudi crown prince, French president discuss regional developments 

Updated 20 March 2025
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Saudi crown prince, French president discuss regional developments 

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received on Wednesday a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They discussed resumption of Israeli strikes on Gaza, in addition to efforts to halt attacks and protect civilians.

Macron commended the Kingdom's role in the US-Russian dialogue and the talks to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

The pair also tackled issues of mutual interest.


Saudi crown prince, UK PM discuss developments in Gaza, Ukraine during call

Updated 20 March 2025
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Saudi crown prince, UK PM discuss developments in Gaza, Ukraine during call

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received on Wednesday a phone call from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Saudi Press Agency said.

They discussed during the call developments in the Gaza Strip and their security and political repercussions. 

Starmer praised the Kingdom's pivotal role in hosting the US-Russia dialogue in Jeddah.

The pair reviewed efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.

They also discussed ways of enhancing cooperation.