Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has given its approval for holding graduation ceremonies in its universities and other education institutions, provided there is full compliance with applying the mandatory protocols for graduation ceremonies, prepared by the Public Health Authority (Weqaya) to prevent contracting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

The announced protocol contains all the conditions and precautions that the organizers of graduation ceremonies and the families of the male and female graduates ought to comply with, in implementation of the state’s general policy on preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The approved protocol stipulates that graduates must be immunized depending on their status mentioned in the Tawakkalna app and to permit immunized family members of the graduate to enter the venue.

The entry will be given provided they are over 18 years of age only (or over the minimum age specified for taking the anti-coronavirus vaccine, if it has been updated recently), and the invited family members must not exceed two per graduate.

Furthermore, the graduate shall be honored through a specified track, such that he/she does not mingle with the invitees.

The directives also stipulate presenting “Tawakkalna” app, the invitation ought to be via electronic means and the ceremony should not exceed 30 minutes.

The protocol stressed the importance of constantly reminding and alerting the invitees, graduates, workers, and the function’s organizers on the importance of compliance with the safety guidelines and mandatory physical distancing.