6,000 surveillance cams installed for security of hajj pilgrims

Agencies
September 3, 2017

Makkah, Sep 3: The security and control command center for Hajj installed nearly 6,000 digital cameras to monitor the movement of pilgrims at the holy sites to ensure their safety, according to the head of the center.

In statements to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the head of the security and control command center for Hajj, Maj. Gen. Hassan Al-Zahrani, highlighted the work of those working in the center.

The center is responsible for providing information to the security sectors and government and private entities participating in this year’s pilgrimage plan so that they can provide maximum comfort for pilgrims to perform their rituals in a safe and smooth manner, he said.

“The officers and non-commissioned officers were selected to work at the center based on their extensive experiences in dealing with different situations and circumstances that may occur in the field, as well as their ability to use the advanced technology,” Al-Zahrani said.

He also explained that the center operates 5,906 high-definition digital cameras, an increase of 606 cameras in the past two years, enabling it to monitor more areas in greater detail.

These cameras also help predict problems before they occur. They were placed according to certain standards and criteria in these locations around the two holy mosques, Al-Zahrani said.

“2,000 cameras were installed in areas where the Grand Mosque has been expanded, while 3,906 cameras are located around the holy sites and roads leading to them.”

The modern telecommunications network is another step in dealing with any emergency. The telephone section receives notifications from citizens, pilgrims or workers in the field on the phone number 987.

The operations department is then responsible for communicating with field security or the services sectors located near the site of the incident, to quickly deal with the situation.

“The center follows up on the implementation of security, traffic and service plans during Hajj. It benefits from the maps of modern technology covering the holy mosques and the holy sites, and provides more accuracy and speed for those working to provide services to pilgrims,” Al-Zahrani said. 

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Agencies
July 16,2020

Riyadh, Jul 16: Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif, minister of interior and chairman of the Hajj Supreme Committee, chaired a virtual meeting on Wednesday with the heads of  security agencies and officials in charge of this year’s Hajj season.

During the meeting, the minister and security officials discussed organizational issues related to Hajj, including preventive and precautionary steps related to fighting the coronavirus disease, procedures related to pilgrims commuting to the holy sites, and mechanisms to facilitate performing the Hajj rituals.

Prince Abdul Aziz confirmed abiding by the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to take all precautions to preserve the safety of the pilgrims, and facilitate their performance of their Hajj rituals, according to the highest health standards to contain the new coronavirus pandemic.

Saudi Arabia has decided to allow only a limited number of domestic pilgrims to perform Hajj this year in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Only those expatriates between the ages of 20 and 50 who are not suffering from any chronic diseases can apply for the pilgrimage.

Earlier, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that requests from people of 160 nationalities in the Kingdom have been screened electronically to select who will perform Hajj this year.

Of the pilgrims who will receive approval, 70 percent will be non-Saudis residing in the Kingdom and the remaining 30 percent will be Saudi citizens.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior said that anyone found entering the sites of Hajj (Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat) without a permit from July 18 till the end of Dhu Al-Hijjah 12 will be issued with a fine of SR10,000 ($2,600).

The fine will be doubled if the offence is repeated. Security personnel will be posted on roads leading to the holy sites to ensure that anyone who breaks the law will be stopped and fined.

Around 2.5 million foreign and domestic pilgrims performed Hajj last year.

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News Network
March 24,2020

Riyadh, Mar 24: General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) on Tuesday asked all expatriates in the Kingdom, who have a final exit visa or an exit and reentry visa, to quickly cancel them before their expiry. This is to avoid the prescribed fines for not availing of these visas before their expiry date, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The new measure was taken following the Saudi government’s suspension of international flights as part of the preventive and precautionary measures to stem the spread of new coronavirus. The Jawazat asked expatriates to verify the validity of such visas and cancel them through Ministry of Interior’s electronic service portals of Absher or Muqeem.

It underlined the need to adhere to the regulations and instructions in order to avoid fines prescribed by law against the violators.

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KAJOOR MOHAMME…
 - 
Tuesday, 24 Mar 2020

My reentry expair date 26-03-2020 plz help me

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News Network
April 16,2020

Dubai, Apr 16: Saudi Arabia reported 518 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 6380, the Ministry of Health announced on Thursday.

According to the ministry of health, the number of recoveries today were 59, making total of recoveries in the kingdom 990, with 71 critical cases in intensive care.

The ministry also confirmed 4 deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the kingdom to 83.

Saudi Arabia imposed a 24-hour curfew and lockdown on the cities of Riyadh, Tabuk, Dammam, Dhahran and Hofuf and throughout the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, Qatif and Khobar. This week the curfew was extended until further notice by king Salman

Overall, Saudi Arabia has reported one of the lowest rates of infections in the region, with around 6000 cases in a population of over 30 million.

Private sector support

Saudi Arabia has allocated SR50 billion (Dhs49 billion)to support the private sector as part of its package of initiatives approved by King Salman on Wednesday aimed at mitigating economic repercussions from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The package targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and economic activities that have been most affected by the pandemic.

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