AL-QURAYYAT, Saudi Arabia — Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said on Monday that the mutated strain of coronavirus is not worse than COVID-19, and the vaccine is effective against it. “Studies are underway about the new variant of the virus and the Kingdon is closely following developments with regard to it. The Saudi leadership is keen to take all precautionary measures and prevent travel until the nature of the mutated strain of the virus is studied and its impact assessed,” he said. The minister made the remarks while speaking to reporters during his visit to the Al-Qurayyat governorate in the northern Al-Jouf region. “If a person is infected with the mutated coronavirus, then it is similar to the known coronavirus, and the mutated strain is not worse than COVID-19, and the vaccine is effective to deal with it. This is one of the promising things,” he said while noting that the matter, whether the new variant spreads faster or not, is under study and evaluation.” Dr. Al-Rabiah reached Qurayyat to inaugurate a number of health projects that have been completed at a cost of SR56 million, and to lay the foundation stone for several projects costing more than SR38 million. The ceremony was held under the supervision and patronage of Al-Jouf Emir Prince Faisal Bin Nawaf.