The prudent approach adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to deal with the challenge thrown by Covid-19 has started paying back as the situation is improving and prospects of a return to normalcy are in sight. On Monday, it reported lowest daily death toll from Coronavirus in two weeks with twenty people dying from virus. The diligence of the authorities concerned can be gauged by the fact that the Kingdom has so far conducted 2.27 million PCR tests. Saudi Arabia was among the first countries that made this test available after preparing and equipping the national laboratory.
The spread of the virus in Saudi Arabia was understandable as the country is visited by hundreds of thousands of people from across the globe for religious purposes. However, the Kingdom, under the dynamic leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), initiated timely measures to check the virus despite the fact that it meant losses worth billions of dollars. However, health of Saudi nationals as well as visitors has always been a top priority with the Kingdom and that is why it did not compromise on the issue on monetary considerations. It is because of highest level of concern for health of the people that this year Hajj has also been organized at a limited level with strict guidelines for pilgrims. Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has intensified its awareness and guidance campaign to adopt preventive protocols to combat the spread of the Coronavirus through the participation of a group of advocates and scholars, in addition to publishing what was recommended by the medical committees concerned with combating the epidemic. Apart from the strategy adopted to deal with the Covid-19, Saudi Arabia is also pursuing far-sighted policies for economic development, indigenization, manpower development, addition of facilities for religious visitors and a foreign policy that has raised stature of the Kingdom in the comity of nations. These policies would surely ensure accelerated march of people of the Kingdom on the road to prosperity, peace and security.
