Saudi Arabia rules out complete lockdown as first Omicron case detected

Riyadh: The Saudi government has ruled out a complete lockdown after the first Omicron case was reported.

According to Saudi media, the Kingdom's health ministry on Wednesday confirmed first case of coronavirus’ newly discovered variant ‘Omicron’ in a citizen coming from a North African country.

Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Ali said that a Saudi national who had arrived back from a North African country has tested positive for the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

He said the Kingdom applies precise measures if any new case is detected to prevent the spread of the virus. The infected cases and those who were in contact with them are kept in isolation and all preventive measures are followed.

Meanwhile, Saudi officials have also launched an investigation following the passenger tested positive for Omicron. However, the Saudi Ministry of Health has ruled out the possibility of a complete lockdown in the country.

The Saudi Ministry of Health said that there were serious concerns about Corona's inception because there was no vaccine at the time, but now more than 22 million people in Saudi Arabia have received both doses of the vaccine.

The spokesman said that in Saudi society, the immune system against the virus is the best, so people should take precautions and stay away from crowded places.

The spokesman added that those who are planning to leave the country should make a thoughtful decision.

The Kingdom’s Ministry of Health “stressed the need for all members of society to complete receiving [COVID-19] vaccine doses and to adhere to all precautionary measures, preventive measures and approved protocols, as well as the importance of those coming from traveling to adhere to the instructions related to quarantine and laboratory examination for their safety and the safety of all,” SPA reported.

Earlier on Sunday, the kingdom suspended flights coming to and from Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Comoros, in a bid to curb the spread of Omicron.