RIYADH — Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi, who is also the acting minister of media, said that the coronavirus vaccine is not mandatory in Saudi Arabia, while indicating that mutations of the virus and uncertainty surrounding the vaccines have led to the delay in the announcing the details of this year’s Hajj. Al-Qasabi announced in a press conference on Sunday that 40% of the Kingdom"s population has been vaccinated so far. “If we want to coexist, go to markets and return to schools and work, we should take the vaccine,” the minister said with around 15 million doses administered so far.The minister announced that the continuous mutation of the virus and the delay of vaccines supply in many countries were factors that led to the delay in announcing how the Hajj season will be. Al-Qasabi revealed that the Ministers of Health and Hajj would announce details about this year Hajj season soon. He also pointed out that 97 percent of the Sakaka solar power plant’s operating team are Saudis. Al-Qasabi described the UN’s adoption of the Riyadh initiative to combat global corruption as an important positive step. “Saudi Arabia is the first in the MENA region and has advanced in global ranks among 167 countries in the measurement of environmental concern,” he added. The Minister stressed on Saudi Arabia firm position regarding the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people.