Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — All Saudi nationals in Belgium are safe and no COVID-19 infections have been reported thus far, the Kingdom’s ambassador to Belgium Dr. Khalid Al-Jandan has said.

Talking exclusively to Okaz/Saudi Gazette, the ambassador said 22 Saudi nationals stranded in Belgium have been repatriated to the Kingdom smoothly.

Dr. Al-Jandan said the Saudi embassy contacted the stranded citizens and other Saudi nationals who wanted to return to the home country, asking them to register as soon as possible and prepare themselves for the journey. Then they were returned to the Kingdom.

The ambassador said Saudi Arabia has been dealing with the coronavirus pandemic with the utmost firmness and seriousness and took several pre-emptive measuress. Through its dealings with the pandemic, the Kingdom has asserted that “a human being is at the top of the priorities of our leadership regardless of his gender, religion or country.”

Dr. Al-Jandan said Belgium has adopted very strict measures to stem the spread of this pandemic, imposing heavy fines on those not complying with the directives and measures to protect society. "The Belgian government has shown its strictness and commitment to implement the measures by deploying the police throughout the country.

The government flew small aircraft to take pictures over parks so as to uncover gatherings and prevent them," Al-Jandan asserted.

He said there was complete transparency in announcing the number of daily infections and deaths. This, he said, made people to abide by the directives and measures, including avoiding going out, socializing and taking into account the mandatory social distancing. TV stations played a big role in spreading awareness and guidance, he said.