March 6, 2022 COVID-19 update

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Progressing to Tier 0.5

Yesterday, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia made significant reductions in their COVID-19 requirements. In light of those changes, effective today, Sunday, March 6, 2022, we are moving to Tier 0.5 in our phased approach to normal conditions.
Click here for a full explanation of the phased approach.
During this Tier 0.5 period, the emphasis is on making informed decisions based on your circumstances:

  • Face coverings are no longer required in open/outdoor areas, however, masks are still required in closed/indoor spaces.
  • Physical distancing no longer carries a prescribed distance.
  • Department and private events no longer require a maximum number of attendees.
  • Current Tier 1b controls and mitigations will remain with TKS and Daycare for now while we study the Kingdom changes.

Over the coming days, we will review any specific nuances in the Kingdom’s guidance and update our guidance where appropriate. Review the Keeping KAUST Safe guidelines for more details.

Travel-related updates

As part of the March 5 announcement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ended most COVID-19 travel-related restrictions in the country as follows:

Suspension of PCR Tests upon Arrival to KSA
Passengers no longer need to provide a negative PCR test upon their arrival into KSA. When travelling to other countries please check their guidelines are concerning PCR requirements.  

Suspension of Quarantine Requirements upon Arrival to KSA 
Travelers to KSA are no longer required to undergo mandatory COVID-19 quarantine upon arrival into the Kingdom. 

Travel Medical Insurance Requirements
All arrivals to the Kingdom on visit visas of all kinds are required to purchase insurance that covers the costs of treatment of COVID-19 infection.

Suspension of Social Distancing Measures

  • Suspended social distancing measures at all closed/indoor and open/outdoor places, activities and events.
  • Ended social distancing in the Two Holy Mosques and all mosques in the Kingdom, however, worshipers still have to wear masks inside the mosques.

Lifting suspension on Direct Flights from Selected Countries
The Kingdom has lifted the suspension of direct flights to and from the Kingdom from the following countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, United Republic of Comoros, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Afghanistan.

The measures taken above are subject to continuous evaluation by the competent health authorities in the Kingdom, according to the developments in the epidemiological situation.

March 6 COVID-19 update

As of March 6, there were 7 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed at KAUST since the last bulletin on February 27.

In the last seven days, the majority of cases have been found from symptomatic testing, with the remainder from pre-departure travel testing. 

The 14-day positivity rate* at KAUST is currently 4.2% as of March 6, 2022. *

Positivity rate = % of positive tests returned from the total number of tests taken during a 14-day period. Excludes where the result is still pending or the swab was rejected.**

This rate will only be displayed if the number of tests conducted achieves a given significant threshold (724 tests). Over the past 14-day period, 731 tests were conducted, with 30 positive cases.

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