Saudi Arabia to make Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for all workers
A sign for a Covid-19 vaccination clinic is seen as high-risk workers receive the first vaccines in the state of Victoria's rollout of the program, in Melbourne, Australia, February 22, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS
All public and private sector workers wishing to attend a workplace in Saudi Arabia will be required to have taken a Covid-19 vaccination, the human resources ministry said on Friday, without specifying when this would be implemented.
"Receiving a coronavirus vaccine will be a mandatory condition for male and female workers to attend workplaces in all sectors (public, private, non-profit)," the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said on Twitter.
It urged workplaces to start preparations to ensure all employees receive a vaccination. "The ministry will soon clarify the mechanisms of the decision and its implementation date," it said.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia announced that it will lift its suspension on citizens travelling abroad and open land, sea and air borders from May 17.
Saudi citizens who have received two vaccination shots, or one shot at least two weeks prior to travel, those who have recovered from coronavirus within the last six months and those who are under 18 years old will be allowed to travel, according to the officials.