On Thursday morning, the COVID-19 Monitoring Committee held its 78th meeting. Chaired by the Minister of Health, Dr. Tawfik bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the meeting was attended by the committee members, who represent the relevant government agencies. During the meeting, all relevant COVID-19 updates and reports were reviewed. The committee has discussed the global epidemiological situation, as well as the cases reported locally and their health condition. All precautionary measures carried out at the points of entry into the Kingdom will continue in full, the Committee stressed, and will be further tightened. Meanwhile, the Committee commended the citizens’ compliance with the curfew, and called on them to stay home, and refrain from going unless necessary.
The meeting was followed by a joint press conference, the participants in which included Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdulaali, MOH spokesman, Mr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Hussein, Ministry of Commerce (MOC) spokesman, and Lt. Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub, Ministry of Interior (MOI) spokesman. The MOH spokesman mentioned that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has jumped to 3,772,367 cases, of which 1,252,240 cases have recovered to date. As for the COVID-19 death toll, it has jumped to 264,189.
Besides, 1,793 new confirmed cases were reported in the Kingdom, distributed as follows: 386 in Madinah, 315 in Jeddah, 254 in Makkah, 194 in Riyadh, 171 in Dammam, 120 in Al-Khobar, 48 in Al-Jubail, 40 in Hofuf, 40 in Al-Qatif, 36 in Taif, 32 in Yanbu, 20 in Ras-Tannoura, 16 in Sebia, 14 in Tabuk, 13 in Wadi Al-Far’, 10 in Unaiza, 10 in Bish, 10 in Al-Deriyah, 8 in Hadban, 6 in Hafr Al-Batin, 5 in Al-Eis, 5 in Al-Kharj, 4 in Salwa, 4 in Al-Qurayyat, 3 in Buraydah, 2 in Khamis-Misheit, 2 in Al-Majardah, 2 in Baqiq, 2 in Al-Dhahran, 2 in Safwi, 2 in Umluj, and once case in Al-Jafr, Al-Mithnab, Al-Bukairiyah, Rabigh, Al-Heddah, Al-Daer, and Al-Majmaah.
This brings the total COVID-19 cases in the Kingdom to 33,731 cases, including 25,714 active cases, receiving the medical care they may be in need of. Of these, there are 145 critical cases, whereas the health condition of the rest is stable.
Of the 1,793 cases reported today, 457 cases (25%) are Saudi citizens, whereas the other 1,336 cases (75%) are non-Saudis residents. About 17% of the cases (297) are females, and 83% (1,496) are males. Only 2% of the reported cases are older persons, 5% are children, and 93% are adults. The number of new recoveries has amounted to 1,015, bringing the total recoveries to date to 7,798. And 10 new deaths were reported, bringing the total deaths to 219. The new deaths include one 60-year-old Saudi man, and 9 non-Saudi residents in Makkah, Riyadh, Al-Khobar, and Jeddah, aged 30 - 78 years old.
Dr. Al-Abdulaali warned parents against delaying or ignoring their children’s regular and seasonal vaccinations. He noted that some parents have been delaying or ignoring the vaccinations altogether, which is dangerous and could expose the children to a virus or bacteria if they weren't vaccinated on time according to the approved programs. It is also crucial that parents completely adhere to the scheduled dates without any delays, especially that health facilities apply precautionary measures. This makes their environment and services healthy and easily reachable. Reserving appointments can be done through MOH’s ‘Mawid’ application or its (937) call center.
Dr. Al-Abdulaali extended his thanks to parents who have been keen on having their children vaccinated on time. He also stressed that staying at home and abiding by the correct health instructions is the way to prevent COVID-19. Individuals who have symptoms or want to self-assess can use the self-assessment service on ‘Mawid’ or receive counseling through the call center on its number (937), available 24/7.
For his part, the spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), Abdul-Rahman Al-Hussein, praised the great commitment of citizens, residents, and commercial establishments to the precautionary measures in commercial markets. He called upon them to continue their commitment. MOC spokesman pointed out that over the past few days, there has been a significant decrease of 60% in the number of exaggerated pricing and supply commodities increase reports. The number of electronic stores on ‘Maarof’ (Known) platform has also increased by 25% during this quarter of the year, compared to the first quarter of last year. The platform now has over 55,000 registered stores.
Al-Hussein called upon citizens to buy only from stores that have a ‘Maarof’ certificate and warned them against making purchases from unknown stores. By entering ‘Maarof’ platform, a consumer can learn about stores, their evaluation, their reliability, the means of communication with them, and all the information needed for a safe e-shopping experience.
Regarding the return and exchange policy, MOC spokesman said that it is an inherent right of consumers and that all sale outlets are obligated to explain the precautionary measures to deal with returned commodities. This process would take place per MOH’s health precautions document. Consumers have the right to exchange and return a commodity and get a refund if it was defective. Al-Hussein stressed that the return policy must be written in clear and understandable Arabic. It must also specify the days and periods during which return and exchange are available. The policy must be placed in a prominent spot or near the cashier. All Ramadan products are available in large quantities, with stable prices, as supply outlets continue to provide them. MOC also continues its control efforts in all regions of the Kingdom. Furthermore, since March 23rd, 150,000 inspection tours have been implemented on sale outlets.
Concerning consumer complaints, such as delayed delivery of shipments, Al-Hussein stated said that over the past period, there have been issues in delivering some shipments to consumers. About 150,000 shipments have had difficulty being delivered to consumers due to the imposed curfew or the precautionary measures taken to preserve public health. Furthermore, MOC held a meeting with the Ministry of Communications, in the presence of representatives of electronic stores and shipping and delivery companies. The meeting aimed to develop urgent solutions for the current situation. Over the past days, 75% of those shipments were delivered, and the rest of them will be delivered over the next few days. Also, consumers reserve the right to cancel their orders and reclaim their money.
In conclusion, Al-Hussein gave consumers three tips. First, they should report any commercial violations they encounter through communicating with MOC or through the “Commercial Report” Application. Second, they should consume in moderation. Third, they should avoid rumors and obtain information about commodity abundance and supply goods from reliable sources, such as the Saudi Press Agency, the Ministry of Interior, and MOC.
For his part, the MOI spokesman, Lt. Col. Talal Al-Shalhoub, highlighted the annexed statement issued by MOI and published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). It indicated that HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz has approved the Minister of Interior’s adoption of the regulations to limit gatherings that contribute to COVID-19 transmission. He also approved of the classification of the violations and penalties imposed on these gatherings.
He pointed out that there are security units dedicated to controlling gatherings in all their forms and locations, whether inside or outside neighborhoods and cities. Also, the concerned authorities are overseeing the private sector establishments. Al-Shalhoub stressed that anyone who encounters gatherings that violate the provisions of these regulations must inform the competent authorities. They can call the toll-free number (999) in all regions of the Kingdom. In Makkah region, the number is (911).
The application of penalties and handling the procedures of objecting to violations are carried out under the previously announced provisions. These penalties will be imposed on violators of the preventive measures taken to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. The penalties will be imposed on anyone who has attended a gathering, called for it, or caused it.
Al-Shalhoub explained that the regulations aim to impose social distancing on citizens. They also aim to regulate human gatherings, which are the direct cause of the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, to prevent its spread. He also called upon all individuals and entities in the public and private sectors to abide by these regulations. This would happen by adhering to the approved instructions related to health safety requirements and social distancing rules. The aim is to prevent gatherings of all kinds, wherever they take place.