Saudi Arabia could consider mix-match second doses of coronavirus vaccine

More than 47.7 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population have received at least one dose. (AP)
Short Url
Updated 21 June 2021
Follow

Saudi Arabia could consider mix-match second doses of coronavirus vaccine

  • Many of Saudi Arabia’s regions have shown signs of stability and decline in cases

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia could consider administering second doses from other vaccine manufacturers as soon as they are accredited in the Kingdom according to the Ministry of Health (MoH) spokesman.
At Sunday’s press conference, MoH spokesman Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly said that studies conducted in several countries have shown positive results, with more countries now applying the mix-match vaccine doses, including the US, Canada, Britain, the UAE and more.
Refuting claims about the depletion of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the Kingdom, Al-Aly reassured the public that the vaccine is still available and is being administered. More than 16.6 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in the Kingdom so far, at a rate of 107,857 doses per day. More than 47.7 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population have received at least one dose.
The Kingdom reported 1,079 new cases, bringing the number of active cases in the country to 10,896, a decline of 149 cases in the past 24 hours.
“The rate at which the curve is going in the past few weeks have shown positive signs of stability,” said the MoH spokesman, adding: “Many of the Kingdom’s regions have shown signs of stability and decline in cases. We continue to encourage everyone to register for the vaccine as both vaccines and precautionary measures will help in overcoming this pandemic.”

FASTFACTS

474,191 Total cases

455,618 Recoveries

Most cases were registered in the Makkah region with 320, there were 216 cases in Riyadh and 206 cases in the Eastern Province. All other regions reported new case totals below 100, the Northern Borders reported six cases while Jouf reported only four.
The reports brought the total number of cases to 474,191 since the start of the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Kingdom.
There were 1,214 new recoveries from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. Most recoveries were registered in Jeddah with 187, Makkah followed with 150 and in Riyadh there were 138 recoveries. This has brought the total number of recoveries to 455,618. The Kingdom’s recovery rate is holding steady at 96 percent.
There were 20 new critical cases, bringing the total number of critical patients to 1,516. Fourteen people died in the last 24 hours, raising the overall death toll to 7,677. Some 84,652 PCR tests have been conducted via numerous testing hubs across the country. Clinics and treatment centers have been set up by the government to help thousands of people around the Kingdom in the fight against COVID-19. Through Sehhaty (my health) app the citizens have easy access to the Tetamman (rest assured) and Taakad (make sure) clinics, aimed at helping those who show symptoms and those who do not but believe they have been in contact with the virus.


Saudi crown prince meets Palestinian vice president

Updated 14 sec ago
Follow

Saudi crown prince meets Palestinian vice president


Jeddah public transport network expands with new buses and routes

Saleh bin Ali Al-Turki, Mayor of Jeddah and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jeddah Transport Company, and Dr. Rumaih Al-Ru
Updated 4 min 7 sec ago
Follow

Jeddah public transport network expands with new buses and routes

  • New fleet includes fully electric models and improved accessibility
  • Six new routes expand network reach

JEDDAH: In a major stride toward transforming urban mobility, Jeddah has officially launched the new phase of its public transport system.

The expansion includes 91 new buses with three fully electric models, and six new bus routes. All the vehicles feature improved accessibility for passengers with disabilities.  

The new fleet was unveiled in a ceremony on Wednesday under the supervision of the Jeddah Transport Company in partnership with the Saudi Public Transport Company.

Reflecting on the upgrade, Youssef bin Nasser Al-Sayegh, CEO of JTC, said: “Our focus is not just on movement, but on intelligent movement. We plan to leverage data and analytics from the new GPS and dashboard systems to continually improve long-term operational efficiency and deliver a more seamless passenger experience.

“This includes improving route synchronization, adjusting timetables, and reducing unnecessary stops to enhance efficiency and increase the punctuality of bus arrivals.”

The new technology is being used to analyze trip durations, delays and passenger counts in real time.

By collecting and studying long-term data on passenger movement, peak hours, and high-demand areas, JTC hopes to improve services by refining routes.

The network expansion has increased the number of routes from six to 14, providing better access to the city.

There now more than 80 stops and 117 air-conditioned stations, with buses operating daily from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Tickets are priced at SAR 3.45 per trip (including VAT), with daily, weekly, and monthly subscription options available.

“This launch is not just about numbers, it’s about building confidence in public transportation,” said Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, managing director and CEO of SAPTCO.

Passengers can now use the official Jeddah Buses mobile application to buy tickets and plan journeys.

Looking to the future, Al-Sayegh shared a broader vision beyond 2028.

He said: “We’re actively designing a public transport system that not only includes comprehensive bus routes but also introduces new modes, like the marine taxi, to enhance connectivity and make the most of Jeddah’s coastal geography.

“As part of our five-year roadmap, we plan to expand coverage further into Jeddah’s suburbs and northern areas, connecting key neighborhoods and alleviating pressure on high-traffic corridors.

“These developments will ensure that every resident, no matter where they live, has convenient access to sustainable transport,” he added.

The marine taxi initiative, which recently began a pilot phase, presents a novel approach to alleviating road congestion by using the Red Sea as an alternative transit route.

The sea taxi service is already up and running, connecting major locations like the Jeddah Yacht Club, Historic Jeddah district, and will soon begin operations in the Sharm Obhur district.

“This project is just the beginning; our goal is to expand the routes and enhance the city’s connectivity along the waterfront,” he said.

Al-Sayegh emphasized the project’s long-term impact: “In the future, we plan to develop 20 state-of-the-art water taxi stations that will handle up to 29,000 passengers daily, further reducing congestion and promoting maritime tourism.

“This project is not just about improving transport; it’s also about enhancing the overall experience for residents, visitors, and tourists, aligning with the Kingdom’s vision to modernize infrastructure and provide modern transportation solutions.

 “Our integrated approach looks at how buses, future rail solutions, and maritime options can all work in sync. This is a foundation for a forward-thinking urban transport system, one that evolves with the city and its people.”

Ceremony attendees were given a tour of the control room at the event, where they watched live feeds from bus stations and marine taxis, showing how the system is operated and monitored in real time.


Saudi Arabia issues royal decrees reshuffling key government posts

Updated 45 min 53 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Arabia issues royal decrees reshuffling key government posts

King Salman issued a series of royal orders on Thursday announcing key changes in government positions.

Among the key decisions, Prince Mohammed bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz al-Saud was relieved of his post as Governor of Jazan Region. He will be succeeded by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz  al-Saud, who has been appointed with the rank of minister.

Other appointments include: 

Prince Bandar bin Muqrin bin Abdulaziz al-Saud is appointed Advisor at the Royal Court, with the rank of Excellent.

Prince Nasser bin Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Jalawi al-Saud is appointed Deputy Governor of Jazan Region, with the rank of Excellent.

Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Faisal bin Saad al-Saud has been relieved of his membership in the Shura Council and appointed Deputy Governor of Al-Qassim Region, with the rank of Excellent.

Prince Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf al-Muqrin, Special Advisor to the King, is assigned to act as Deputy Minister of Interior.

Dr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz al-Daoud has been relieved of his post as Deputy Minister of Interior and appointed Deputy Minister of the National Guard, with the rank of Minister.

Mr. Fahd bin Abdullah al-Askar is appointed Deputy Chief of the Royal Court, with the rank of Minister.

Mr. Tamim bin Abdulaziz al-Salem is appointed Deputy Private Secretary to the King, with the rank of Minister.

Dr. Mohammed bin Saud bin Musa al-Tamimi has been relieved of his position as Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission and appointed as Governor of the National Emergency Management Authority, with the rank of Minister.

Dr. Inas bint Sulaiman bin Mohammed al-Issa is appointed Deputy Minister of Education, with the rank of Excellent.

Professor Abdullah bin Siraj bin Mustafa Zaqzouq is appointed Head of Private Affairs for the Crown Prince, with the rank of Excellent.


Saudi Arabia ‘categorically rejects’ Israel’s plan to seize Gaza territory

Updated 08 May 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia ‘categorically rejects’ Israel’s plan to seize Gaza territory

  • Israeli authorities on Monday approved plans to take over territory and forcibly displace population
  • Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemns Israel’s violations of international law

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has “categorically rejected” plans by Israel to expand its military operations in Gaza and seize control of the territory.

The ministry also “strongly condemned the continued Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law.”

Israeli authorities on Monday approved a new ground operation to take over parts of Gaza, forcibly displace Palestinians into the south of the territory, and control the distribution of humanitarian aid. The Israeli army is calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers.

The announcement sparked widespread international condemnation. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said it stood firmly opposed to any attempted expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, and stressed the importance of holding Israel accountable for failures to comply with international resolutions.

The Kingdom continues to have “unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, in line with international legitimacy, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital,” the ministry added.


Saudi project destroys 600 more Houthi landmines and other explosives in Yemen

Updated 07 May 2025
Follow

Saudi project destroys 600 more Houthi landmines and other explosives in Yemen

  • The devices, cleared from various parts of the war-torn country in recent months, were safely detonated on Wednesday
  • Project Masam has removed nearly 500,000 mines across Yemen since its launch in 2018

RIYADH: Members of the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance, also known as Project Masam, safely detonated 600 mines, unexploded ordnance and other explosive devices on Wednesday.

The project’s engineers had demined and removed the devices over the past few months from various parts of Yemen, including the town of Beihan and the districts of Usaylan and Ain in Shabwah governorate.

Hussein Al-Aqili, commander of the project’s survey team, said they carried out the destruction operation in the Thahba area of Ain district on Wednesday as part of their ongoing mission to clear mines and other remnants of war in Yemen, and save civilian lives.

The project has cleared nearly 500,000 mines from the country since its work there began in 2018.

Last week, Ousama Algosaibi, the managing director of Masam, warned that the Houthis continue to exploit periods of truce to plant more mines across Yemen.

“We are in a constant race with the Houthi militias; we clear mines from one side while they plant more on the other,” he said during an interview with Al-Ekhbariya TV.