Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Chairs Cabinet's Virtual Session

Riyadh, April 28, 2020, SPA -- Under the chairmanship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Cabinet virtually held its meeting today. At the outset of the meeting, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques expressed thanks to and appreciation of their majesties, excellences and highnesses, the leaders of sisterly Islamic countries, as well as citizens of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for congratulating him on the advent of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, appealing to Allah the Almighty to help everybody enjoy a successful and easy fasting and avail himself/herself of the opportunity of Ramadan to offer as much as noble charitable deeds and good feelings to each other to win the satisfaction of God. For their part, the members of the Cabinet extended their felicitations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, citizens of the Kingdom and all Islamic peoples, on this occasion. The Cabinet highly valued the contents of the speech delivered by the Custodian of the Two Holy Masques on the eve of the fasting month of Ramadan, addressing the Saudi nationals and Muslims everywhere. The speech cited the monarch's sincere wishes, the assertion of the Kingdom's being graced to serve the God's house, the prophet's mosque and their guests, and its being proud of the precautionary and preventive measures taken by the authorities to combat the spread of coronavirus COVID-19, thanking all those strenuously working at the country's borders and harbors, including health providers and practitioners, military and security sectors personnel, all government officials and all benevolent persons for the invaluable services they are extending for the health of human beings and to confront this epidemic. Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi pointed out in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency that the Cabinet reviewed a number of reports on the developments of the Coronavirus pandemic, at local and international levels, including the registered cases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the medical care being rendered to them, and the follow-up of the implementation of procedures and measures taken by the authorities to preserve public health. In this regard, he hailed the prudent directives to immediately provide examinations, testing devices, equipment, supplies and medications needed to deal with the virus, citing the signing of a SR 995 million contract to conduct nine million tests to diagnose the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), increase the capacity of regional laboratories in the regions of the Kingdom, and scrutinize the tests and ensure their quality, provide training for Saudi cadres, analyze the genetic map, as well as the immune map in the community for a million samples. The Cabinet also valued the issuance of the royal order to lift the curfew partially in all regions of the Kingdom, while the 24-hour curfew remains in effect in Makkah city and the previously isolated district, as well as the resumption of some economic activities according to health restrictions and adherence to precautionary and preventive measures. The Cabinet discussed the efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the international level, and the continuation of its international participation in combating COVID-19 pandemic, pointing in this context to the appeal launched by the leaders of G20, to countries, international organizations, private sector, all charitable institutions and individuals, to contribute to the international efforts to combat this pandemic and bridging the funding gap. The Cabinet also discussed the Saudi permanent delegation to the United Nations' joining of the statement of global solidarity with New York City, within the framework of international cooperation to combat COVID 19, which was joined by 156 UN member states. Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi pointed out that the Cabinet noted that the approval of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to increase the funds allocated for Ramadan Iftar (Breaking-fast) Project, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance in 18 countries around the world and aims to provide Iftar meals for 1 million people, embodies part of his commitment to offer good deeds in the Holy month of Ramadan for Muslims around the world and to meet their needs. The Cabinet reviewed topics on their agenda, stressing what was stated in the statement by the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, for the need to restore conditions to their previous state in the interim capital (Aden) and some Southern governorates in the Republic of Yemen before the declaration of a state of emergency by the Transitional Council, emphasis on ending any steps contrary to the Riyadh Agreement, which received a wide support by the international community and the United Nations, and work to accelerate its implementation. The Cabinet praised the initiative of the Coalition to extend the ceasefire for a month to confront the COVID-19 pandemic in Yemen, as it represents the continuing seriousness and desire to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly people of Yemen, during the Holy month of Ramadan, and to support the efforts of the United Nations to reach a comprehensive political solution that maintains the integrity of security, unity and stability of Yemen. The Cabinet reviewed topics on its agenda, including some being co-studied by the Shura Council; and was briefed on the outcomes reached by the Economic and Development Affairs Council, the Political and Security Affairs Council, the General Committee of the Cabinet, and the Cabinet's Bureau of Experts in this regard. --SPA