Qualitative Exploration of Legal, Economic and Health Impacts of Covid-19 in Saudi Arabia

Yusuff Jelili Amuda,Mohsin Dhali,Shafiqul Hassan,Emna Chikhaoui

doi:10.28991/esj-2022-sper-01

Yusuff Jelili Amuda, Mohsin Dhali + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.28991/esj-2022-sper-01

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Abstract

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, several researches have been conducted in different parts of the world, including Saudi Arabia. However, there is little focus of attention on qualitative exploration of the impacts of COVID-19 in the context of Saudi Arabia. The primary objective of this study was to explore the opinions of legal, economic, and medical experts pertaining to the impacts of COVID-19. The methodology employed in this paper was a qualitative research design. The data was collected with a specific focus on the use of an in-depth interview. Fifteen (15) participants among the legal, economic, and medical experts were finally used for the interview among the targeted participants. In order to analyze the data, different themes were generated from the transcribed interviews, which were: Overview of COVID-19, legal, economic, health impacts. The finding of the study revealed that the current pandemic of Covid-19 has multidimensional impacts in Saudi Arabia. The pandemic has negative impact not only on the social and economic areas but also on the legal sphere. Social and economic impacts of the Covid-19 increase the inequality, discrimination, unemployment, deprivation of usual education, and disruption in business activities. The findings further indicated that the legal impact of COVID-19 has been mentioned in the aspect of the inability to perform contracts that have the potential to trigger default or force majeure provisions leading to litigation or reconciliation. In addition, the participants also acknowledged the health impact of COVID-19 in causing anxiety, suffering from illness, loneliness, depression, and causing death, among others. If not properly addressed through effective measures and policy, the impact of the COVID-19 on the legal, economic, and health spheres would have severe consequences. Therefore, it is recommended that all the stakeholders, especially the government of Saudi Arabia should effectively and efficiently address the legal, economic, and health impacts of COVID-19. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2022-SPER-01 Full Text: PDF

Highlights

There are overwhelming studies on COVID-19 in different parts of the world, and most of the studies were theoretical or quantitative empirical studies in nature [1, 2]
This paper has empirically investigated various dimensions of the impacts of COVID-19 in the context of Saudi Arabia
The legal impact has been shown in the breach of contractual agreement, which might lead to litigation or reconciliation

Summary

Introduction

There are overwhelming studies on COVID-19 in different parts of the world, and most of the studies were theoretical or quantitative empirical studies in nature [1, 2]. This paper attempts to empirically explore the triadic impacts of COVID-19 among legal, economic, and health experts in the context of Saudi Arabia. Throughout the world, including Saudi Arabia, the pandemic of COVID-19 is felt, and there have been strict measures in curtailing its spread. It is not disagreeable to posit that the multifarious measures in curbing the pandemic of COVID-19 may undoubtedly affect different spheres of society, such as business activities, suppliers, and labor in general [8]

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