General

Riyadh, The committee concerned with following up the health situation of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) affirmed the importance of continuation of applying and enhancing all precautionary measures in all entry ports.The committee held today its 29th meeting under chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawazan Al-Rabiah and in presence of the members of the all governmental relevant institutions.During the meeting, the committee reviewed all reports and developments of the virus as well as the epidemiological situation of the virus worldwide including the confirmed cases in the Kingdom.Following the meeting, Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aali, spokesman of the Ministry of Health, confirmed that the total number of confirmed cases with the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world amount...

Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia, The General Presidency of the Prophet’s Mosque Affairs instructed putting into force today a temporary suspension of vehicles from entering the underground parking of the Prophet’s Mosque.The agency's spokesperson, Jamaan bin Abdullah Al-Asiri, said that the measure will come into effect after Maghrib (sunset) prayer today, affirming that this suspension is part of precautionary measures to protect visitors of the Prophet's Mosque from the Coronavirus (COVID-19).Meanwhile, the General Presidency of the Prophet’s Mosque has intensified its preparations in the fields of service, sterilization, cleaning and awareness.Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development confirmed today that the labor system of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not allow granting or forcing employees to go on unpaid leave without their consent."In light of the current circumstances which do not allow performing work duties according to regular methods, a reference to Coronavirus-forced public home-stays, the enterprises could follow alternative methods to enable their employees to complete their tasks, including remote work. The ministry published a guidebook in this regard on the ministry's website," it added.This came in response to inquiries the ministry has received on whether some private sector's facilities granting laborers unpaid leave without their consent is compatible to regulation.The Ministry affirm...

Marib, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), in cooperation with Charity Coalition for Humanitarian Relief, distributed yesterday shelter materials including 152 tents, 608 blankets in Marib Governorate, Yemen, benefiting 152 displaced families.This comes within the framework of the humanitarian and relief aid being provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by KSrelief, to the Yemeni people.Source: Saudi Press Agency

Riyadh, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud delivered a speech to his brothers and sisters, his sons and daughters, citizens and residents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as follows:"Praise be to God and peace be upon His Messenger,My brothers and sisters,My sons and daughters the citizens and residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, peace and Allah's mercy be upon you.You are all aware, may God bless and protect you, that the world is suffering due to the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus pandemic, may God protect us and the world from its harm.We are living through a difficult phase of the world's history. However, we are completely certain that this phase will end and pass, despite its harsh and bitter difficulties, with belief in God's words: (Indeed...

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has suspended her presidential campaign, ending a long-shot effort that saw her feuding with Hillary Clinton and raising fears among Democrats that she would mount a third-party 2020 bid.In an email and video posted to Twitter on Thursday, Gabbard offered her full support to former Vice President Joe Biden, saying "it's clear that Democratic primary voters have chosen" him to take on President Donald Trump in November. Noting their political differences, Gabbard said she respected Biden and had confidence in the motivations of his campaign effort."Although I may not agree with the vice president on every issue, I know that he has a good heart, and he's motivated by his love for our country and the American people," Gabbard said...

LONDON - Doctors are warning that any outbreak of the coronavirus in refugee communities would have a devastating impact. The United Nations estimates there are more than 30 million refugees worldwide, many living in conditions that are ideal for transmission of the coronavirus. As even rich nations struggle to cope with the pandemic, health experts say it's vital the international community is prepared for any outbreak among the world's most vulnerable groups. People across the world are being told to stay home, to practice "social distancing" and keep away from other people, and to make hygiene a priority. Such actions are next to impossible in a refugee camp, says professor Richard Sullivan, co-director of the Conflict and Health Research Group at Kings College London. "Many of thes...

New York, The Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdullah bin Yahya Al-Maalami, here today met with Director of the Representative Office in New York to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the newly appointed Ambassador Greta Gunnarsdottir.At the beginning of the meeting, Ambassador Al-Maalami congratulated Ambassador Gunnarsdottir on her assumption of the position, wishing her success in her mission, noting the Kingdom's permanent delegation's keenness to enhance cooperation with the UNRWA Representative Office in New York to serve the joint efforts.Ambassador Al-Maalami affirmed the Kingdom’s firm belief in the centrality of the Palestinian cause and its keenness to provide everything that would help the brotherly Pal

Azerbaijan, The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Dr. Hamad bin Abdullah bin Khudair, indicated that the embassy has received 160 citizens who have not been able to leave the Republic of Azerbaijan after the suspension of airline flights, which is one of the precautions to prevent the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus.The Ambassador stated that, based on the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the embassy works on continuous communication with all citizens around the clock, indicating the allocati...