Saudi Arabia will increase its spending to fight the spread of the coronavirus in the Kingdom, earmarking an additional 7 billion riyals (USD 1.8 billion) yesterday on top of the 8 billion riyals (USD 2.1 billion) earmarked at the beginning of the virus outbreak, according to Asharq Alawsat.
Saudi Arabia has taken sweeping efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, from strict curfew measures to rules on dining and banning the use of cash, as well as physical sanitation programs in cities across the Kingdom.
The Kingdom registered on Wednesday 272 new infections and 64 new recoveries. According to Worldometers.info, a COVID-19 tracking site, Saudi Arabia has 2,932 cases and 41 deaths, with 631 recovered.
A Saudi artist paints COVID-19 scenes in the Kingdom. Photo via SPA.gov
“We stand before a decisive moment as we have to raise our sense of responsibility and contribute firmly to stop the spread of this pandemic,” Saudi Arabia’s health minister, Dr. Tawfig Al-Rabiah said.
The Kingdom has been a leader globally in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus, chairing digital G20 meetings of world leaders and drawing praise from world health officials on measures taken to prevent a rapid spread of COVID-19 from straining its healthcare system.
On Friday, Saudi Arabia will likely host a G20 meeting of energy leaders, including from the United States, to attempt bring stability to global oil markets.
