Home Middle East Saudi Arabia Temporarily Suspends Entry of Travellers from 20 Countries

Saudi Arabia Temporarily Suspends Entry of Travellers from 20 Countries

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia temporarily suspended entry from 20 countries to the kingdom due to increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases. According to the statement released by Saudi Press Agency, this action was taken after “preventive and precautionary measures recommended by the health authorities.”

“In accordance with the preventive and precautionary measures recommended by the health authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and as a part of its relentless efforts to control and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 as well as due to the importance of maintaining the epidemiological situation and public health in the country,” said the statement released by Saudi Press Agency.

The countries in the banned list include India, US, and neighbouring countries like Egypt and United Arab Emirates. The list also includes the United Kingdom, Lebanon, Turkey, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan, and South Africa.

The ban will be in effect from February 3. 

The ban does not apply to diplomats, Saudi citizens, medical practitioners and their families. According to Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry, the temporary ban will also apply to travellers who passed through the 20 banned countries during the 14 days preceding the implementation of the ban.

Earlier in January, Saudi Arabia had shifted its plan to reopen its borders from March 31 to May 17.

The total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia is constantly rising. As per WHO, In Saudi Arabia, from Jan 3 to 2 February 2021, there have been 368,329 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 6,379 deaths.