Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has made it mandatory for private sector companies to grant 14 days’ sick leave to pregnant women and patients with respiratory, autoimmune and chronic diseases, or tumors, Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday quoting Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

The ministry has also called on companies to ensure that all employees returning from abroad must isolate themselves at home for 14 days and should not be allowed to return to work except after the end of the quarantine period. The returnees who show symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19) must immediately be referred to medical care, the report said.

The ministry’s move follows the decision by the national committee tasked with the following up on coronavirus developments as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

As per the rule, pregnant women and people with respiratory and chronic diseases, immunodeficiency and users of immunosuppressant drugs, shall be given a mandatory two-week leave, and it shall not be deducted from their leave balance, the report added.

Based on the decision by the Ministry of Interior to suspend international flights for passengers for two weeks, starting from March 15, those who had not been able to return, will be considered to be on exceptional official leave.

The ministry also appealed to owners of firms and companies to abide by these decisions, welcoming any observations or reports via the smart phone app “Maan lirrad”, the Unified Call Center number “19911” or via the ministry’s accounts on the social media.