Saudi Arabia back in business as coronavirus curfews end

People go out after a months-long lockdown ended. Residents are encouraged to voice their concerns, file complaints and report any violations through apps. (Basheer Saleh)
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Updated 23 June 2020
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Saudi Arabia back in business as coronavirus curfews end

  • Protocols and preventive measures have been put in place as commercial activity resumes across the country
  • The previous phases increased awareness among the people in terms of constantly checking that procedures are followed, and taking the necessary precautions

RIYADH/JEDDAH: The Kingdom’s streets came back to life on Sunday after a months-long lockdown ended, with people breathing a (cautious) sigh of relief and resuming their everyday activities.

Saudi Arabia went into lockdown on March 21 and its three-phase unlock strategy started on May 28.
Protocols and preventive measures, such as social distancing, have been put in place as commercial activity resumes across the country. Restaurants and cafes have reopened again for indoor trade. Gyms, barbershops and beauty salons are also welcoming back clients.
The traffic movement in major cities was normal with no irregular traffic jams, according to residents. Although there was a noticeable increase in the numbers of people and children at malls and shopping centers, these places were significantly less crowded than the period before the outbreak. Shoppers adhered to social distancing and safety instructions.


Jeddah’s Corniche witnessed more visitors than it had done in previous weeks, but while people stuck to safety instructions their numbers were much less than usual.
Saja Al-Humayani said there was noticeable street congestion in the area where she went to work. “I am glad the restrictions are finally over,” she told Arab News. “I want to go to many places other than work, but I have to be cautious about my choice of time and place and I will have to organize them on a priority basis.”
Abrar Azzouz was eager to go out but, as the only person who left the house on a regular basis, she had to be careful and responsible for the sake of her family’s safety.
“I was in Al-Tahliyah today, and I could see that cafes and restaurants were busy since the early morning,” Azzouz told Arab News.


In Riyadh, product design director Mariam Al-Hazmi believed that people had become more aware and ready for this phase of the unlock. “I feel that restaurants and malls are not essential as much as going to work and working out in gyms,” she told Arab News. “I also don’t think social gatherings are necessary especially these days and, if it is a must, people should apply social distancing even in their homes. No need to greet with kisses and hugs.”
Al-Hazmi hoped that people would be more understanding about refraining from physical greetings in order to help curb the spread of coronavirus, insisting that a phone call to elderly loved ones was enough to ensure their safety too.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Restaurants and cafes have reopened again for indoor trade. Gyms, barbershops and beauty salons are also welcoming back clients.

• Shoppers adhered to social distancing and safety instructions.

• The traffic movement in major cities was normal with no irregular traffic jams, according to residents.

• Although there was a noticeable increase in the numbers of people and children at malls and shopping centers, these places were significantly less crowded than the period before the outbreak.

• Jeddah’s Corniche witnessed more visitors than it had done in previous weeks, but while people stuck to safety instructions their numbers were much less than usual.

Alyaa Al-Shammari, who owns a women’s tailoring shop in Riyadh, was excited about reopening her doors. “During the curfew phase our businesses were struggling because of a lack of customers,” she told Arab News. “We were exposed to many difficulties resulting in a disruption in the payment of rent, bills, and salaries of employees.”
Al-Shammari was expecting customers to come back during this phase of the unlock, but she was also taking steps to ensure the health and safety of her employees and clients.
“We will certainly follow the instructions of the Ministry of Commerce and apply precautionary measures,” she added. “We have provided all the necessary protective supplies and disinfectants, cleaning the area and tools daily. Moreover, we will welcome no more than three customers and receive orders with prior reservations only. Employees are obligated to use protective tools such as masks, gloves, and sanitize their hands constantly, and warning them not to touch the customers directly, and to adhere to the cleanliness of the place continuously.”
Restaurant owner Arwa Al-Tuwaijri said that even though the last few months had been hard for everyone, and not just entrepreneurs, people were optimistic about the next phase. “I now see how people are eager to return back to their normal lives and go to restaurants and coffee shops,” she told Arab News. “People have missed the small details in their daily lives like passing by their favorite coffee shop or having lunch in their favorite restaurant. I expect that the previous phases increased awareness among the people and even for us as restaurant owners in terms of constantly checking that procedures are followed, taking the necessary precautions, and reading the protocols issued by the Ministry of Health, and applying them.”
There are thorough ministerial guidelines for everyone to follow during this new phase, and violators face a fine when they are caught not following protocols. Residents are also encouraged to voice their concerns, file complaints and report any violations through apps.
Al-Tuwaijri was keen to provide the required measures like thermometers, face masks and gloves to both employees and customers.
“At the entrance of the restaurant there will be one employee who will check the temperature of customers and also remind people who experience symptoms that they should take responsibility and stay at home,” she said. “We are committed to the protocol of disinfecting bathrooms as recommended by the Ministry of Health every two hours and periodically change face masks, as well as provide hand sanitizers for employees and customers. Customers will also have the option of eating with paper plates, forks, spoons, and cups.”
While many people have voiced their excitement about going back to their normal everyday lives, some remain hesitant and vigilant, opting to stay indoors for the time being and continue hunkering down although they are also relieved about being able to go out freely if needed. One of these people is Muna Abdullah, who has no plans to venture outside for leisure purposes at the moment.
She commutes daily to work and back and has seen no difference between how it was before the curfew and now. “It seems we are truly back to normal,” she told Arab News. “I did not notice any unusual overcrowding compared to life before movement restrictions.”
Salma Hussain also said she would not leave the house yet, except to go to the supermarket or resume her postponed medical appointments. “I’ll possibly do some limited family visits too, but I won’t go to restaurants or shopping before another month passes,” she told Arab News.
Deema Al-Sehli, a project design manager based in Riyadh, supported the idea of ending the curfew and people picking up their normal everyday activities because the country had taken all the necessary measures for months. It was now time for people to take responsibility to protect themselves and others, she said.
“To be honest I think there is a problem of awareness and commitment from all segments of society, which is scary,” she told Arab News. “I’m not expecting to go anywhere for the two upcoming weeks until I see the number of cases decrease and see how aware people are. I admit that I have a fear, facing the move to going back to normal life. I don’t fear getting infected as much as the fear of harming my family.”
As many Saudi residents face the challenge of returning back to pre-lockdown life, the underlying message is that the pandemic is not over and the threat of a surge is on the minds of many.
It is up to people to be responsible and live a careful life until the threat level is lowered. With a unified front, the end goal is within reach.


Boris Johnson praises Kingdom’s rapid transformation at Saudi Media Forum

Updated 5 sec ago
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Boris Johnson praises Kingdom’s rapid transformation at Saudi Media Forum

  • Former PM commends crown prince as a ‘leader with courage’
  • Compares rapid development in Saudi Arabia with UK’s sluggish progress

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s bold leadership and rapid transformation under Vision 2030 should serve as a model for other nations, former UK prime minister Boris Johnson said today at the Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh.

Comparing the Kingdom’s accelerated economic and infrastructure development to the UK’s sluggish progress, Johnson highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ability to execute large-scale projects efficiently, crediting its decisive leadership for the shift.

“I visited NEOM eight years ago, and there was absolutely nothing there. Now, Saudi Arabia has built world-class resorts, with 12,000 hotel rooms under development,” he said. “Meanwhile, in the UK, we still struggle to complete one railway.”

Johnson praised Vision 2030 as the foundation of Saudi Arabia’s progress, highlighting its role in economic diversification, infrastructure expansion and social reforms. “Fifty percent of the Saudi economy is now non-oil,” he said, citing the Kingdom’s shift toward tourism, technology and renewable energy as key indicators of success.

Women’s empowerment also featured prominently in his remarks. Johnson highlighted that Saudi women’s participation in the technology workforce now surpasses that of Silicon Valley and Europe. “Look at the speed of change,” he said. “We in the UK need to learn from this.”

Beyond economic reforms, Johnson acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s rising diplomatic and geopolitical influence. He referenced its role in global discussions and peace initiatives, calling the Kingdom a key player in shaping the region’s future.

On the crisis in Gaza, Johnson called for strong leadership and reconciliation, urging the need for leaders with the courage to push for peace. “Saudi Arabia is playing a historic role in bringing long-term peace and prosperity to the region,” he said.

Johnson contrasted Saudi Arabia’s ability to execute large-scale projects quickly with the bureaucratic delays plaguing infrastructure development in the UK. “You’ve spent $68 billion on these projects, and we still can’t complete one railway,” he said, referencing the UK’s stalled High Speed 2 rail project.

“Saudi Arabia is a country where things are happening with incredible speed and decisiveness. Frankly, we need to learn that in the UK,” he added.

Shifting focus to media and public perception, Johnson criticized the role of social media algorithms in shaping biased narratives. He said that platforms like YouTube and Twitter often reinforce pre-existing beliefs rather than providing balanced perspectives. “We need to ensure the media presents balanced facts, rather than reinforcing pre-existing biases,” he added.

Reflecting on his own career, Johnson discussed his transition from journalism to politics, and said that he wanted to shift from critiquing policy to actively shaping it. “As a journalist, you throw rocks. As a politician, you build,” he added.

Johnson also pointed to the difficulty of leadership in a social media-driven world, where political figures face instant scrutiny and polarized opinions.

Concluding the session, Johnson praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership, quoting Winston Churchill: “Courage is the most important virtue, and this country is fortunate to have a leader with courage.”

The Saudi Media Forum 2025, held in Riyadh from Feb. 19-21, brings together global media figures, policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the future of media, governance and international relations.


Women work to redefine leadership strategies in Middle East entertainment industry

Updated 40 min 45 sec ago
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Women work to redefine leadership strategies in Middle East entertainment industry

  • Women increasingly taking on leadership roles
  • Rapidly expanding industry offers new opportunities  

RIYADH: Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles in the region’s entertainment industry, in operations, strategy and risk management.

At the IAAPA Middle East Trade Summit 2025 in Riyadh on Tuesday, female executives shared how they are adapting leadership strategies to meet the sector’s rapid evolution.

For many professionals in the region, careers in entertainment were not an obvious choice. Nada Radwan, business development manager at Adirondack Studios, spoke about her transition from interior design to themed entertainment.

“In the Arab world, family plays a big role in career choices, and medicine and engineering are often seen as the safest options,” she said. “For me, I knew that math and chemistry were not for me, so I chose interior design — something creative yet practical.”

She described how her fascination with how spaces evoke emotions led her into the entertainment industry. “I had no plan of becoming anywhere close to this industry. I just followed what excited me,” she said. “My advice to those considering a career shift? Go for it. Build on what sparks joy for you, be open to learning, and move forward with no regrets.”

With the industry rapidly expanding, a new challenge has emerged — managing a younger workforce with different priorities. Hind Galadari, deputy general manager at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, highlighted the evolving expectations of Gen Z employees.

“They don’t care about job security the way previous generations did,” she said. “They care about their well-being, their purpose, and what they can contribute to the world.”

Moderated by author and development coach Maya Mattar, the session, “Women Transforming the Middle East’s Entertainment Industry,” set a bold tone.

“This is not your typical women’s empowerment session,” Mattar said. “We are not here to preach or hand out badges of honor. In this room, we have a seat at the table, and let’s be honest — it’s a pretty good seat.”

Lina El-Deek, partner at PwC Middle East, emphasized that the success of entertainment projects depends on balancing customer experience, financial sustainability and data security.

“We have an existential risk in driving the right customer experience,” she said. “It’s all about how people feel when they visit our attractions. Will they come back? Will they recommend it to others? If we don’t get this right, we fail.”

She also stressed the importance of building inclusive workplaces. “This business is all about diversity. We bring people from across the world, and we need to manage that properly,” she said. “Leadership must set the right tone, create clear cultural policies, and engage employees through active inclusion.”

Galadari emphasized the need for adaptability when improving workforce culture. “The culture doesn’t change overnight,” she said. “The park opens in an instant, but the team takes time to transition. That’s why hiring the right mindset, not just skills, is essential.”


Digital economy must include all communities, says Digital Cooperation Organization’s secretary-general

Updated 19 February 2025
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Digital economy must include all communities, says Digital Cooperation Organization’s secretary-general

  • Over a third of world lacks access to internet, says Deemah Al-Yahya
  • Tech leaders must develop ‘responsibly, transparently’ for ‘everyone’

AMMAN:More than one third of the world’s population still lacks access to the internet, said Deemah Al-Yahya, secretary-general of the Digital Cooperation Organization, who stressed that underserved communities must be included in the digital economy.

Al-Yahya highlighted the current status of digital transformation during the multilateral organization’s 4th General Assembly meeting in Amman on Wednesday.

Although the digital economy is expected to hit $16.5 trillion by 2028, accounting for 17 percent of the globe’s gross domestic product, the divide in digital exclusivity remains deep despite this rapid progress, Al-Yahya said.

“This gathering is the beginning of a new era for a global collaboration … in today’s world digital transformation is no longer a choice, it is imperative.”

Speaking on artificial intelligence, Al-Yahya said the global market value of AI is expected to exceed $800 billion by 2030, yet it is available in only a handful of countries.

Al-Yahya asked the question: “Will AI (deepen) existing divides or will it be a force for inclusion and prosperity?”

“Leaders in technology must ensure that AI and developing technologies are developed responsibly, transparently, and for the benefit for everyone and all.

“The voices of young people, women, and underserved communities must not just be included, but must be given the power to shape policies, lead initiatives and build the digital economy of the future.”

As a part of the event, a Digital Prosperity Awards ceremony celebrated the achievements of international and regional companies.

This included Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development which won an award for “Digital Transformation: Decision Making” and Tuwaiq Academy for “Digital Transformation: Cooperation.”

Sami Smeirat, Jordan’s minister of digital economy and entrepreneurship, spoke about the power of the event: “Together we can shape the future where digital cooperation unlocks new opportunities and creates lasting prosperity for all.”

The event features panels and discussions with leading experts from across the world.

The DCO was founded in November 2020 and currently has 16 nations as members including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh and Oman. It also has 39 observer partner organizations.

The DCO member states have a collective GDP of $3.5 trillion and serve a combined market of nearly 800 million people, more than 70 percent of whom are under the age of 35.


Saudi, Japan officials discuss relations in Tokyo

Updated 19 February 2025
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Saudi, Japan officials discuss relations in Tokyo

TOKYO: Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hisashi Matsumoto met with Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador Ghazi Faisal S. Binzagr on Wednesday to discuss various issues, including the two nations’ recently launched Strategic Partnership Council.

Matsumoto highlighted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and expressed hope relations would continue to develop in various fields.

Binzagr echoed Matsumoto’s sentiments and thanked him for attending the recent Japan-Saudi Vision 2030 Ministerial Roundtable in Riyadh.


KSrelief organizes training in Aden on cholera, infection controls

Updated 19 February 2025
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KSrelief organizes training in Aden on cholera, infection controls

  • 170 doctors, nurses and healthcare workers from across Yemen receive training

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief recently held a training course in Aden governorate for healthcare personnel to treat cholera patients and institute infection controls, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The course was held in partnership with the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health, as a part of the cholera-prevention project in Yemen.

A total of 170 doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers from across Yemen received training on Feb. 12 and 13.

The course covered epidemiological definitions, transmission methods, risk factors, clinical manifestations, dehydration assessment, cholera management during pregnancy, and treatment of malnourished children.

The initiative is a part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts, through KSrelief, to enhance Yemen’s healthcare system, particularly the management of infectious diseases.