Saudi lifting Covid restrictions ahead of Ramadan lifts spirits too

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia lifting all Covid-19 restrictions ahead of the holy month of Ramadan has lifted the spirits of citizens and residents as well. Prayers in the mosque, including the Taraweeh (late night prayers), are set to resume while restrictions on social gatherings are lifted, Arab News reported.

The Kingdom had given permission to operate bazars other activities related to the festive season.

It was on March 4, 2020, that Saudi Arabia imposed restrictions. It stopped Umrah and visits to the Two Holy Mosques for citizens as the severe pandemic scare broke out along with the virus. Two years later, this March, the Saudi administration lifted all the precautionary and preventive measures, including wearing face masks in public places and social distancing from both public and private places.

Arab News learnt that people living in the country are totally excited, which they shared with the news agency.

For the last two Ramadan, the gathering of relatives was put on hold due to the restrictions, one of the residents said. Now there is no restriction on gatherings and friends and family can be together. Another person said that the last two years were economically, psychologically and socially difficult. Since the restrictions are lifted, there is the festive season, and people have something to look forward to, the person added.

Among the lifted restrictions, travellers no longer need to show vaccination proofs or negative PCR test reports, and they need not maintain quarantine on entering the Kingdom. But, wearing masks indoors still remains a requirement, and people need to show immunity status on the Tawakkalna app before entering public establishments such as restaurants.