Saudi Arabia sets rules for exemptions at workplace
The categories of people exempt from workplace attendance in the Kingdom’s public, private and non-profit sectors have been announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
However, those in the exempt categories need to submit medical reports to their employers. According to the updated protocols, the categories exempt from attending workplaces are the following:
- People over the age of 60
- Those suffering from chronic lung disease or severe asthma and have been hospitalized at least once in the past six months
- Those with chronic heart disease (heart failure or coronary artery disease who have had at least one heart attack during the past year)
- Those who have inherited immunodeficiency and anemia (thalassemia and sickle cell anemia)
- Those with acquired immunodeficiency
- People with organ transplants; people who use immunosuppressive or cancer treatment drugs
- The severely obese with a body mass index of above 40
- People suffering from chronic medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes
- People who have been hospitalized at least once in the past six months due to high blood pressure
- People with chronic kidney diseases.
The list also includes people with special needs who are unable to apply social distancing measures due to motor impairment, or cannot understand or apply COVID-19 preventive measures due to learning disabilities.
But the ministry said these groups of people could go to work if they had been fully vaccinated and their inoculation status was on the Tawakkalna app.
