Saudi Arabia unveils Haj traffic plan

September 25, 2014

Jeddah, SEP 25: The Traffic Department has sought the assistance of Tawafa organizations for the success of its plan for the Haj season this year.

Jeddah-Makkah“Tawafa organizations are an important partner for the success of the Haj traffic plan,” said Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahman Al-Muqbil, director of traffic police and assistant commander of Haj security forces.

Addressing a meeting organized by the Tawafa Organization for Pilgrims from Arab Countries in Makkah, he explained the department’s plan for the Day of Arafat and the movement of pilgrims from Arafat to Muzdalifa, as well as for the various divisions of Mina.

“I take this opportunity to advise all Tawafa organizations to follow the traffic regulations, which have been set out for the safety and security of pilgrims,” Al-Muqbil said.

Brig. Mohammed Al-Buqami, head of the traffic command, said a large number of traffic officers would be deployed on the roads to ensure smooth flow of pilgrims from Arafat to Muzdalifa without traffic jams. Speaking at the meeting, Turki Al-Qurashi, head of the transport committee at Haj Ministry, urged Tawafa organizations to encourage their pilgrims to stay in Mina until 13 Dul Hijjah to avoid overcrowding at the circumambulation area around the Kaaba during Tawaf Al-Wida.

“It will also help reduce congestion at the central region of Makkah,” he said, adding that buses leaving Mina with pilgrims before 13 Dul Hijjah would be stopped.

Brig. Khaled Al-Dhubaib, commander of traffic in Arafat, disclosed plans to open the western, eastern, northern and southern ring roads on Dul Hijjah 8, allowing free movement of service vehicles.

“We will not allow any buses without pilgrims to enter Arafat,” the commander said. The parking area for the Tawafa organization for Arab pilgrims can accommodate 8,211 buses, he added.

Maj. Gen. Wasl Al-Harbi, commander of traffic for Muzdalifa, said there would not be any major change for the Haj plan except for the movement of vehicles on western King Faisal Bridge.

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Agencies
April 26,2020

Riyadh, Apr 26: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia has issued an order to partially lift the curfew in all regions of the Kingdom, to become from 9am to 5pm, starting Sunday through Wednesday May 13, while keeping a 24-hour curfew in the holy city of Makkah and in previously isolated neighbourhoods, state news agency (SPA) said early on Sunday.

The order also allowed the opening of some economic and commercial activities, which include wholesale and retail shops in addition to malls.

They can operate for two weeks, beginning on April 29 (Wednesday) until May 13 (Ramadan 6-20), however, certain shops within malls like beauty clinics, barber salons, gyms, cinemas, and restaurants will continue to be restricted from reopening.

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News Network
January 16,2020

Dubai, Jan 16: The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment on Wednesday announced that it has banned the import of birds, some eggs and meat products from Hungary and Slovakia.

The ministry said the decision was taken following a notification from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on the outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu, H5N2, in the two countries.

Accordingly, the ministry has banned "the import of all species of domestic and wild live birds, ornamental birds, chicks, hatching eggs, meats and meat products and non-heat-treated wastes from Hungary and Slovakia".

It has also regulated the import of poultry meat and non-heat-treated products, requiring a health certificate for the export of meat and meat products from the two countries to release consignments into the UAE.

A health certificate will be needed for the import of eggs, the ministry added.

However, thermally-treated poultry products (meat and eggs) have been cleared for import from all parts of Hungary and Slovakia.

Kaltham Ali Kayaf, Acting Director, Animal Development & Health Department at the ministry, said: "These measures reiterate the ministry's keenness in achieving its strategic objectives including enhancing bio-security levels and eliminating pathogens before they enter the country. In doing so, the ministry prevents the bird flu virus and related risks and impacts on the country's poultry health and safety, in addition to protecting public health and well-being."

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Gulf News
April 12,2020

Dubai, Apr 12: Saudi Arabia reported 429 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 4462, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday.

The ministry also confirmed 7 deaths bringing the total number of deaths in the kingdom to 59.

According to the ministry of health the number of recoveries are 41 cases, making total of recoveries 761.

Ministry also said that 40,000 have been quarantined since the beginning of the epidemic, and only 7,000 remain in quarantine, including those who recently returned from abroad.

Extension of curfew

Early on Sunday, King Salman approved the extension of curfew until further notice due to current rates of coronavirus spread, the official news agency SPA announced.

Earlier last week, 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.

Authorities had already sealed off the holy cities of Makkah and Medina along with Riyadh and Jeddah, barring people from entering and exiting as well as prohibiting movement between all provinces.

Total lockdown on Medina neighbourhoods

The Ministry of Interior also announced a total lockdown on five neighbourhoods in Medina on thursday until further notice. The neighborhoods include Al Sherbat; Bani Dhafar; Qurban, Al Jumuah; and parts of Al Iskan district and Bani Khudrah. No one is allowed to enter or exit these areas.

An official source from the ministry highlighted that the Ministry of Labor and Social Development will provide residents of these neighbourhoods with food baskets and will follow up on their needs while the ministry of health will provide them with necessary medications.

Saudi Arabia, which has reported the highest number of infections in the Gulf, is making every possible effort to limit the spread of the disease at home.

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