COVID-19: Saudi king orders 1.8b riyals in aid to families

Cairo: Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz has decreed payment of 1.85 billion Saudi riyals in aid during the holy month of Ramadan to Saudi beneficiaries of the social solidarity system, state television Al Ekhabriya reported Monday.

According to the royal decree, 1,000 riyals will be offered to each beneficiary family head and 500 for each dependent, according to the report.

“This royal grant comes to reflect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ interest in providing a dignified life to citizens,” the television said.

Saudi Arabia earlier Monday unveiled an austerity package due to the economic and financial impact of the new coronavirus and a plunge in oil demand. The austerity measures include tripling the vale-added tax and halting the cost-of-living allowance offered to government employees.