February 28, 2020, SPA -- The committee concerned with following up on the status of the novel coronavirus held its ninth meeting here today headed by Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah. The committee membership includes representatives from the ministries of Defense, Energy, Interior, National Guard, Foreign Affairs, Health, Finance, Media, Trade, Investment. Hajj and Umrah, Education, as well as the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, the General Authority of Customs, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Saudi Center for Disease Prevention and Control (Saudi CDC). During the meeting, they reviewed the related international events, assessed the current situation, and followed up on recommendations made in previous meetings. The committee also reviewed the global situation and took a set of measures to limit the arrival of the coronavirus and decided to hold a press conference on Sunday for speakers of a number of concerned entities to shed light on developments and answer journalists' questions. The committee will follow up all the developments of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, coordinate between the concerned authorities, and ensure that precautionary and preventive measures are applied in the air, land and sea entry ports to prevent its arrival. The committee makes sure that all health facilities are ready to deal with the virus and follows up on the educational efforts of all concerned sectors with the Ministry of Education and the activities and awareness campaigns it carries out in schools and universities. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also reviews requests for visitors visa for the purpose of Umrah and the implementation of instructions issued in their regard, in addition to the Ministry's affirmation of Umrah companies and institutions to follow up on Umrah performers currently in the Kingdom and provide them with all facilities. --SPA 16:26 LOCAL TIME 13:26 GMT 0006 www.spa.gov.sa/w1276295