Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — An approval has been issued for the resumption of work of public transport vehicles having vehicle guiding apps installed in them.

They can operate in non-lockdown cities during the permitted periods and deliver orders using delivery apps, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) cited Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, minister of transport, as announcing Saturday.

Al-Jasser said that a specialist working team comprising several authorities has set specific controls, to ensure the highest safety standards to protect the health of passengers and drivers.

The Public Transport Authority will announce these controls in the near future, he said.

The transport minister expressed thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, for the approval to allow taxi drivers to use apps for delivery of orders (delivery apps) during the coronavirus pandemic, as an exception.

The taxi drivers will have to follow the conditions and requirements that are set by the competent authorities to organize this activity at present. An announcement will be made on the conditions, the minister added.

Al-Jasser stressed that these decisions have come as an appreciation by the leadership for the situation of private sector firms that have been impacted by the precautionary measures to counter the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This includes taxi firms and the measure is meant to support their work with apps for delivering orders, a field in which many are engaged during these exceptional circumstances, especially during peak hours.

He added: “We, in this country, are working on managing this crisis according to well-studied, correct steps, in which the state institutions are exerting concerted efforts, forming an ideal and successful model in crisis management.”