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Smart taxis in all Saudi cities in 45 days

December 8, 2014

Jeddah, Dec 8: Under new laws for public taxis that come into effect in 45 days, commuters in the Kingdom will no longer hail cabs on the streets.taxi

Taxis will be provided with the most advanced communication technology, so passengers can call a taxi company to arrange a pickup. Sources involved in the new taxi legislation told local media that these regulations come as part of a set of solutions to reduce traffic congestion in the cities. The sources added that renewal of licenses for taxi companies will be withheld until they comply with the new regulations.

As part of these directives, it is stipulated that each vehicle will have a device installed that directly links it with the National Information Center of the Ministry of Interior. Using audio communication devices or via the internet, each taxi company will have at least one vehicle equipped with special appliances to serve handicapped people, a dress code for the drivers and will pay attention to their drivers' personal hygiene.

Those who violate the new regulations will face fines that range from SR500 to SR2,000. A Transport Ministry committee will ensure the application of the regulations, noting that specified parking sites will be allocated for the taxis in Riyadh, Jeddah and Damman, in a bid to curb the number of vehicles on the streets.

The most challenging reason for traffic congestion in the cities are taxis, since more than 200,000 vehicles, mostly driven by expatriates, crowd the already busy streets.

The most challenging reason for traffic congestion in the cities are taxis, since more than 200,000 vehicles, mostly driven by expatriates, crowd the already busy streets.

There have been public demands for some time for regulating and developing the sector in terms of services offered, economic feasibility, hygiene issues, prices and protection of passengers.

An official at the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) said a project will soon be in place to improve taxi services at international airports of the Kingdom (King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam).

The project will later be extended to include all domestic airports across the country so that taxis will be modern and equipped with the most advanced technologies to offer quality services.

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News Network
June 17,2020

Abu Dhabi, Jun 17: The Ministry of Education (MoE) has allowed students still enrolled in universities overseas to obtain exceptions to attendance policies at their respective academic institutions in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the ministry said that the move stems from its keenness to ensure the continuity of education for those students and to maintain effective channels of communication with them.

Students' applications for exceptions to academic attendance in universities due to Covid-19 should be submitted following the end of the academic year, and not after the academic semester, via the following email: [email protected].

In their email, students have to explain the reasons for the required exceptions and should include an official message from the university concerned.

Scholarship approval issued by the Ministry of Education for studying abroad should also be attached.

The student's score reports for the academic years spent in the host countries and the duration of each academic year should also be attached, in addition to an entry and exit report of the student from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship.

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Agencies
July 31,2020

Dubai, Jul 31: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia tweeted early on Friday sending congratulations to everyone on Eid Al Adha.

"I congratulate everyone on the blessed Eid Al Adha. May Allah [grant us another Eid where we will be in] good, blessings, health, and wellness," King Salman said.

"We also ask [God] to accept the pilgrimage of those who completed Haj, and [to accept] Muslims' prayers, and to remove the coronavirus pandemic in our countries," he added.

King Salman left King Faisal hospital in Riyadh after recovering on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Thursday.

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Agencies
June 5,2020

Expatriate workers who fail to abide by the coronavirus protocols in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia may face deportation, according to media reports.

“Individuals who fail to abide by preventive measures, including wearing medical or cloth face masks, failing to observe social distancing and refusing to have their temperatures taken, will be fined SR1,000. The fine will be doubled if the violation is repeated. Residents will be deported after paying the fines,” Okaz newspaper said.

Authorities called on people to report offenders by dialling the toll free number 999, except for the holy city of Makka, where the toll free number is 911.

As per the newly-revised Saudi protocols, social gatherings such as mourning or celebration events that take place inside homes, rest houses or farms, are allowed, but attendants should not exceed 50 persons.

The private sector is also required to adhere to precautionary measures: providing their staff with disinfectants and sanitisers, taking the temperatures of both staff and customers at the entrances of shopping malls.

Other measures include sterilising shopping trolleys and baskets after each use, sanitising facilities and surfaces, closing children’s play areas and fitting rooms in shopping malls and ready-wear outlets.

Authorities highlighted the need for all individuals and entities to abide by health safety rules, social-distancing protocol and the new guidelines set for social gatherings.

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