Saudi Arabia has given more than seven million doses of coronavirus vaccines to citizens and residents as part of its immunisation drive, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.
The kingdom recently recorded a surge in infections, prompting authorities to urge the public to follow health and precautionary measures, including social distancing and the wearing of masks.
The ministry said vaccines were given at more than 587 sites across the kingdom as it reported nine new deaths and 948 infections on Saturday.
Vaccines are available to all citizens and foreign residents for free, the government said.
Authorities imposed fines of up to 200,000 riyals or a jail term of two years, or both penalties, for those who violate their quarantine regulations.
Since the outbreak of the virus in March last year, the kingdom has recorded a total of 404,054 cases and 6,810 deaths.
Before the vaccination drive began, the Health Ministry said it hoped to have enough to cover 70 per cent of the population by the end of this year.
Saudi Arabia has a population of about 35 million people.
The kingdom approved the AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines in January to speed up the inoculation campaign.
Prior to the new year, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was in use.
Those wishing to get a vaccine can do so by applying through the Tawakkalna mobile app.
The government has also announced new regulations for the holy month.
King Salman approved that taraweeh prayers be shortened from 20 rakaat (salutations) to 10, limiting the Ramadan prayers to 30 minutes, in addition to maintaining restrictions on the number of worshippers in the holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah.
Social distancing and wearing of masks will be mandatory for all visitors wishing to perform the pilgrimages of Umrah and Hajj.
RACE CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
8.15pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
9.50pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3 (Silva 8' &15, Foden 33')
Birmginahm City 0
Man of the match Bernado Silva (Manchester City)
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 4 (Mount 18',Werner 44', Hudson-Odoi 49', Havertz 85')
Morecambe 0
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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
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Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
Four stars
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4.15pm: Italy v Spain (Group A)
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NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
The%20Letter%20Writer
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Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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RESULT
Manchester City 5 Swansea City 0
Man City: D Silva (12'), Sterling (16'), De Bruyne (54' ), B Silva (64' minutes), Jesus (88')
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
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Up in the air
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
