Arabia Saudita: parzialmente revocato il coprifuoco, la Mecca resta chiusa - Ice

Arabia Saudita: parzialmente revocato il
            coprifuoco, la Mecca resta chiusa

L'Arabia Saudita ha parzialmente revocato il 26 aprile le restrizioni al
coprifuoco imposte in tutto il Regno, pur mantenendo un blocco
completo alla Mecca e nei quartieri precedentemente isolati, secondo
l'ordine reale impartito del re Salman bin Abdulaziz. L'annuncio della
televisione di stato ha confermato che sarà possibile uscire di casa
dalle 9:00 alle 17:00 fino al 13 maggio, il ventesimo giorno del
Ramadan, il mese sacro per i musulmani. Alcune attività economiche e
commerciali, come i rivenditori all’ingrosso e al dettaglio, nonché i
centri commerciali, riprenderanno dal 29 aprile al 13 maggio. Saloni di
bellezza, barbieri, club sportivi, palestre, centri ricreativi, cinema,
ristoranti, caffè e altre attività continueranno invece ad essere chiusi.

Fonte: Arab news(26 Aprile 2020)

 Nuove misure per il coprifuoco durante il mese Ramadan

L'agenzia di stampa saudita "Spa" ha dichiarato che le autorità hanno deciso di
ridurre le ore di coprifuoco imposte a diverse città durante il mese del Ramadan
per consentire ai cittadini di avere più tempo per acquistare i beni di prima
necessità nel quartiere in cui risiedono. Le persone dovranno rimanere a casa per
16 ore al giorno, dalle 17:00 fino alle 9:00. Una fonte del ministero dell'Interno ha
affermato che le restrizioni si applicano alle persone che non vivono in città sotto
un blocco di 24 ore.

ITA – Trade Promotion Section of the Italian Embassy
Italian Embassy – Diplomatic Quarter
P.O. Box 94324 Riyadh 11693, Saudi Arabia
T +966-11-4889762 / F +966-11-4821969
E-mail: riyad@ice.it
www.ice.it

I residenti sottoposti al coprifuoco 24 ore su 24 sono obbligati a restare presso il
proprio domicilio tutto il giorno se non per soddisfare esigenze essenziali o in caso
di necessità, ad esempio per fare la spesa e per cure mediche.
Il ministero ha anche affermato che il viaggio in auto sarebbe limitato a una
persona oltre al conducente nelle città sottoposte a blocco di 24 ore.

Fonte:Saudi Gazzette.(21 Aprile 2020)

 Permesso di viaggio unificato da applicare iniziando
      dal prossimo martedì in Arabia Saudita

Una fonte ufficiale presso il Ministero dell'Interno ha annunciato
di aver aggiornato i permessi di viaggio durante il coprifuoco per
le categorie di eccezione con un nuovo modulo unificato, che
sarà valido in tutte le regioni del Regno e avrà effetto a partire
dalle 15:00 di martedì 21 aprile 2020. L'approvazione del nuovo
permesso unificato fa seguito al comunicato del ministero del 12
aprile 2020 sull'importanza di identificare quelli necessari per
viaggiare tra i dipendenti dei settori vitali e coloro che lavorano
in attività che sono state esentate durante il coprifuoco.

Fonte: Saudi Gazzette(18 Aprile 2020)
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/592039/SAUDI-ARABIA/Unified-permit-to-
be-implemented-from-Tuesday-across-Kingdom

 Arabia Saudita: stanziati 500 milioni di dollari
        per combattere il coronavirus

L'Arabia Saudita, che attualmente detiene la
presidenza del G20, ha promesso lo stanziamento di
500 milioni di dollari per sostenere gli sforzi globali per
combattere la pandemia di coronavirus. Il Regno arabo
stanzierà 150 milioni di dollari alla Coalizione per la
preparazione e l'innovazione epidemica, 150 milioni di
dollari all'Alleanza globale per vaccini e vaccinazioni e
200 milioni di dollari ad altre organizzazioni e
programmi sanitari internazionali e regionali. Secondo
l'emittente satellitare panaraba "Al Arabiya", il governo
saudita ha inoltre invitato tutti i paesi, le organizzazioni
non governative, le filantropie e il settore privato a
contribuire a colmare una lacuna finanziaria stimata in
oltre 8 miliardi di dollari per combattere la pandemia da

Covid-19. L'Arabia Saudita ha annunciato una multa
fino a un milione di riyal (266 mila dollari) per gli
operatori che tentano frodi commerciali. Il governo ha
incoraggiato i cittadini a continuare a denunciare casi
di frode commerciale, con premi fino al 25 percento
dell'ammenda pagata.

Fonte: Arab News(17 Aprile 2020)
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1660111/saudi-
arabia

Riyadh Office

            24-hour curfew enforced in many cities,
                         governorates
Saudi Arabia has enforced 24-hour daily curfew in all parts of the cities of Riyadh, Tabuk,
Dammam, Dhahran, and Hafouf as well as in the governorates of Jeddah, Taif, Qatif and
Al-Khobar, with effective immediately on Monday until further notice. All entries to and exit
from these cities and governorates are banned, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday
quoting an official source at the Ministry of Interior.

The ministry had earlier enforced a 24-hour daily curfew in Makkah and Madinah, effective
from last Thursday.

The official said curfew exemptions still apply to those in vital public and private sectors
such as security, military and media. Those who work in health services are also excluded
from the curfew.

Fonte: Saudi Gazette(06 Aprile 2020)

http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/591573/SAUDI-ARABIA/24-hour-curfew-
enforced-in-many-cities-governorates

              Curfew imposed in Saudi Arabia’s
Dammam, Taif and Qatif governorates
A curfew in Saudi Arabia’s Dammam, Taif and Qatif will start on Friday 3p.m. until further
notice, state news agency SPA reported, citing Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior.
An exception will be made to services and activities previously announced by the ministry.
The decision is part of the country’s efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus. The interior
ministry implemented a 24-hour curfew in some districts in Jeddah and the two holy cities
on Thursday to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Fonte: Arab News (05 Aprile 2020)

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1652261/saudi-arabia

    Saudi ministry allocates $4.5 billion to cushion
        impact of COVID-19 crisis on workers
The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has allocated SR17 billion
($4.5 billion) to deal with the economic and jobs fallout from the coronavirus crisis.
Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al-Hazani, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Resources
and Social Development, said that the outlay was in line with the Kingdom’s efforts to contain
the outbreak while supporting the private sector, economic growth and employment.
Under new ministry rules, expat workers whose residency permits (iqama) expire before
June 30 will be exempt from financial fees and their permits extended for three months, he
said.
He added that under the Saudi labor system employees cannot be forced to take unpaid
leave without their consent.

Fonte : Arab News (02 Aprile 2020)

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1651436/saudi-arabia

  Major Saudi energy firms pledge 525 million SAR
     (140 million $) in fight against coronavirus
Major Saudi energy companies have contributed a whopping 140 million $ to the country’s
Health Endowment Fund, Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The move follows the King Salman’s call for support to the national health efforts being made
to combat the pandemic and the directives of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy
premier and minister of defense, who is continuously monitoring the coordination and
cooperation among various government agencies.

The Health Endowment Fund is a legal entity established by a decision of the Cabinet and
aims to enhance the role of society in supporting government efforts in health development.

Out of the total 140 million dollars contribution to the fund, 54 million dollars came from Saudi
Aramco.

In a separate announcement, the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and its partners pledged
8 million dollars contribution, while the company’s contractors and suppliers vowed a
contribution of 6.5 million dollars.

Fonte: Saudi Gazette (01 Aprile 2020)
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/591424

Saudi Arabia orders lockdown in Makkah, Madinah,
                      Riyadh
An order issued by the King Salman on Wednesday prohibits people of all the 13 provinces
of the Kingdom from leaving the region or moving to another region.

The order takes effect on Thursday 26th of March, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The
royal order also bans people from entering or exiting the boundaries of Makkah, Madinah
and Riyadh.

In a larger effort to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus, the recently imposed curfew
will begin at 3 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. in the cities of Makkah, Madinah and Riyadh.

The new directives will come into effect from Thursday afternoon until the end of the curfew
period announced in an earlier order of the King.

Fonte: Saudi Gazzette (25 Marzo 2020)
http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/591212

        Partial Curfew For 21 Days In Saudi Arabia
King Salman bin Abdulaziz has issued a curfew order from 7 pm until 6 am for a period of
21 days, effective from 23rd of March evening, to limit the spread of coronavirus in the
Kingdom. Some workers will be exempt from the curfew. These include employees of the
vital parts of the public and private sectors whose work requires continued performance
during the prevention period, the government saidIt also includes employees in the security,
military and media sectors, and those in relevant health and service sectors.The ministry
urged citizens to stay in their homes, especially during the curfew, and not to leave except
in cases of necessity.
Kindly check the following link to get details of activities excluded from curfew:
http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/591136/SAUDI-ARABIA/King-Salman-orders-
partial-curfew-for-21-days

Besides, workers in diplomatic missions and international organizations and residents of the
diplomatic quarter are allowed to move during the time of curfew from and to their
workplaces.

Fonte: Saudi Gazzette (23 Marzo 2020)

Saudi Arabia announces $32 billion in emergency
     funds to mitigate oil, coronavirus impact
Saudi Arabia’s government unveiled stimulus measures amounting to 120 Saudi billion riyals
($32 billion) on Friday to support an economy hit by the double blow of the coronavirus crisis
and dramatically lower oil prices.
The sum includes Riyadh’s 50 billion riyals package announced last week to support small
and medium-sized businesses. Friday’s announcement introduces a further 70 billion riyals
to aid businesses, including the postponement of tax payments and exemptions of various
government levies and fees.
Earlier this week, the kingdom cut its 2020 budget by almost 5%, a step that many
economists predict will be the first of a series of cutbacks and potentially even austerity
measures to keep its finances intact amid oil prices plunging by nearly 60% year-to-date.
The relief measures in the new stimulus package include exemptions on expat levies,
postponing some private sector fee payments to the government, and postponing the
collection of customs duties on imports. It also allows employers to extend exit and re-entry
visas free of charge for three months and enables businesses to postpone paying value-
added tax, income tax and other levies for the next three months.
“Some budget appropriations will be reviewed and reallocated to the sectors most in need
in the current situation, including allocating additional funds to the health sector as needed,”
the statement quoted Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan as saying.
“An emergency budget was also introduced to cover any costs that may arise during the
developments of this global crisis.”

Saudi Arabia has taken sweeping measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus, including
suspending numerous flight routes and temporarily halting entries for religious pilgrims
coming to the kingdom for Hajj, a journey taken by some two million Muslims annually.
Oil price plunge and hit to fiscal plans
Riyadh earlier this month set off an oil price war, slashing its prices to buyers, and plans to
increase its oil production from a recent 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) to 12.3 million bpd
in a strategy to increase its market share. This, coupled with crushed demand from the
coronavirus, could plunge crude prices into the teens, analysts say. International benchmark
Brent crude was trading at $28.28 a barrel on Friday at 12:40 p.m. ET.
Saudi Arabia needs oil priced at $82 per barrel to balance its budget, according to the
International Monetary Fund — “which means Riyadh’s fiscal plans and the Saudi economy
will suffer a big blow,” a report from Energy Intelligence wrote this week. The analysis firm
predicts the kingdom’s flagship Vision 2030 economic reform plan will suffer a significant
setback as well.
Fonte: CNBC (20 Marzo 2020)
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/20/coronavirus-and-oil-saudi-arabia-announces-
32-billion-stimulus.html

    Saudi Customs suspends export of medicines,
          pharmaceuticals, medical devices
Export of medicines, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment has been suspended, Saudi
Press Agency reported on Thursday quoting an announcement made by the Saudi Customs
in a circular.

The move, which comes into effect on Friday (March 20), follows the recommendations of
the ministerial committee tasked to take precautionary measures to prevent the outbreak
spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The temporary ban also includes what was announced earlier with regard to export of all
medical and laboratory products, requirements and devices used in detecting or preventing
infection with the virus, including protective clothing, medical face masks, protective medical
suits covering the whole body, and protective medical goggles.

Fonte:Saudi Gazzette (20 Marzo 2020)
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/591079

  Saudi Arabia suspending domestic flights, mass
     land transport in fight against COVID-19
Saudi Arabia has suspended domestic flights, trains, buses and taxis for 14 days in a
heightened effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said
on Friday. Quoting a directive from the Ministry of Interior, SPA said the new measure will
take effect at 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2020. Only flights related to humanitarian and
necessary cases, medical evacuation aircraft and private aviation would be allowed,
provided that they are covered by the necessary permits issued by the Civil Aviation
Authority. Only flights related to humanitarian and necessary cases, medical evacuation

aircraft and private aviation would be allowed, provided that they are covered by the
necessary permits issued by the Civil Aviation AuthorityCargo ships will be allowed to
continue with their usual program, provided that the crews take all precautions to limit the
transmission of infection.
Transportation related to vital sectors such as health, services and basic commodities such
as food, energy, water and communications, etc., air freight and necessary security transfers
will not be affected by the temporary ban, said the SPA report.
(Fonte): Arab News (20 Marzo 2020)
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1644101/saudi-arabia