Passengers boarding flights in Saudi Arabia must have the Tawakkalna app installed on their mobile phones, according to the Saudi aviation authority.
In this regard, Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Duaij, the president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), has sent directives to all national airline companies cooperating in the Kingdom to urgently link the data for passengers’ flights with the traveler’s health condition on the Tawakkalna app.
In addition, he has directed that boarding passes be issued only to passengers whose health status on the app is listed as “immunized” or affliction with COVID-19 not proven.
The GACA chief has informed Minister of Health Tawfiq Al-Rabiah of the decision, which took effect on April 22.
Mr. Al-Duaij has also asked all airline companies to allow passengers who booked through a computerized booking system to receive SMS text messages when their bookings are canceled if their health condition is found to be different from the required health conditions.
Meanwhile, GACA is intensifying inspection and supervision rounds and visits to airports, GACA buildings, installations, and facilities in collaboration with security authorities in order to identify violators of the precautionary measures.
As per the reports, it has also introduced screening points for measuring body temperatures or check the Tawakkalna app and appointing a “protocol” officer in every facility and over 250 supervisors to monitor and follow up the implementation of the precautionary measures.
Besides, the awareness and educational text messages have been increased in all the GACA buildings, airports, and facilities. The aviation authority has also informed all companies and shopping centers in the airports to comply with precautionary and preventive health measures.
GACA is implementing all the precautionary measures in the Kingdom’s airports to prevent the spread of coronavirus, in coordination with the Ministry of Health. Furthermore, it has taken a series of steps to prepare for the implementation of all health programs, including the highest levels of precaution and prevention, in accordance with safety requirements and World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and standards.
