Omicron transmitted very efficiently between people due to a number of reason including make-up of the Covid-19 variant and increased social mixing and not adhering to measures such as physical distancing.

Arabian Centres Company (ACC), the Saudi mall operator, is expecting an improvement in the business in the wake of the easing of Covid pandemic restrictions in the kingdom.

Pictures and footage on Sunday morning showed people praying side by side, making straight rows of worshippers that are formations revered in performing Muslim prayers, for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic took hold last year. Visitors, however, need to wear masks and must be fully vaccinated.

While the country has scrapped social-distancing, it has not done away with the mask mandate.

Analysts at Jordan-based Arab Advisors Group have said digital payments in Egypt and Saudi Arabia are on the rise