Post-Covid-19 situation in Saudi Arabia

@Mickael

Hello Mickael,

I lived here in Saudi Arabia during the entire pandemic. However, it was entirely different for me than for many others. I am on a Power Plant, and I actually live on the plant. The plant never shutdown and work continued every day. The entrance gate was the hold point. It was shutdown for entrance of people unless there was a need to enter.

The workers that actually lived offsite and traveled in by buses, were temperature tested every day and then random testing was performed during the day by our in-house medical staff. We were required to wear masks while inside the office area and when entering the contractor's offices. We upper management were also required to wear masks when moving around.

You could remove them while in your office.

During the peak of the pandemic, medical staff from our clinic onsite would come to each office and take temperature readings which were noted and followed.

After the pandemic the real change was that the gate opened for people to enter. Because the Management and key personnel live on the plant we just walk across the road and you are in your living quarters. Should someone show symptoms then they would be quarantined in their living quarters as required by the medical staff until they were released. 

i must say, that Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health did a great job in keeping the numbers in Saudi Arabia lower than most other countries.

I take my hat off them keeping us safe here.

My spending habits never changed, and I could travel to the Market to purchase things that I needed. However, the temperature check was performed by the store security prior to entering and masks and gloves were required.

This was even though we have a Canteen, because being American I liked food cooked to my liking. So much of the time I would cook for myself.

My future is bright, as now the Prince of Saudi Arabia's NEOM project is well underway and I continue to assist in the completion of the Power Plant, which is located directly in the middle of the NEOM Project. An I have many friends from the USA that I have worked projects with over the years that are here on the NEOM Project. They too are Upper Management.

I have presently been on this project for over 3 years and expectation is completion in another year.

We all get together on Thursday Night for a BBQ, that I throw just to get together and enjoy, with many of them being lady Engineers also from all over the world. I always shop for and season all of the food and then the Team cooks it and we gather on the beach of the Red Sea and listen to music and enjoy the food and each other's company.

Regards,

Based on the questioner, below is my response

Q: Are there still any health measures in place in Saudi Arabia? If so, what are they (wearing a mask, barrier measures, etc.)?

A: It is advisable to wear in congested areas and in hospitals malls etc but not mandatory any more.

Q: Have you noticed any changes in the population's habits or behavior after the pandemic?

A: Yes, people become more aware of habit related to personal hygiene

Q: What is your new work rhythm: do you still work remotely or are you spending more time in the office?

A: Since I work in one of the power plant and there require physical presence at work site.

Q:Have you changed your spending habits? If so, which ones?

A: Not really, it remains more or less the same 

Q:Despite this pandemic and its consequences, how do you see your future in Saudi Arabia?

A: I see a bright future in KSA due to initiates taken by the Kingdom leadership for the citizens but spectacle about expat future due to Saudization, nevertheless leadership here are keen to make Saudi a name on world horizon.   

Q: Do you have any advice for other expats and future expats on this new daily life in Saudi Arabia?

A: Saudi is no more like as we though and hear from our relatives who  previously had work in this country , it is changing continuously and frequently towards betterment and more open for expats