COVID-19: Saudi Arabia to allow one-hour walk amid curfew

Dubai: Saudi authorities have introduced e-permits for one-hour walk daily during the curfew period.

The e-permit will be available upon request through Tawakkalna application. The permit will be restricted to the neighbourhood zone and it will be for one hour only.

The one-hour walk permit can be requested by one person or along with maximum two other persons within the scope of the applicant’s neighbourhood only. Applicants are not allowed to use their vehicles.

The Tawakklana app was launched earlier this month as part of acollaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). The app aims to manage the movement permit system of government entities and private sector institutions during the curfew time.

The app consists of many features that contribute to facilitating the access of the authorised persons to travel permits. It provides instant and live information about the number of coronavirus infections in the kingdom and helps in the early detection of possible infections once users show coronavirus symptoms.

The app allows citizens and residents to request movement permits in cases of necessity during the curfew; follow-up on their permit request status and notify them when they are close to infectious or isolated areas.

Through the app, they can also report COVID-19 suspected cases to help individuals receive the health care they, or others, need.