Saudi Arabia Ends Entry Ban, Keeps Some Coronavirus Restrictions

Gulf

January 3rd, 10:50am

Asharq Al-Awsat

Travelers wearing protective face masks walk at Riyadh International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 31, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

Saudi Arabia said that entry to the kingdom by sea land and air will be resumed starting Sunday after a ban that lasted two weeks amid fears of a new coronavirus variant, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday. A ministry of interior official said that some restrictions including asking people coming from countries where the new variant spread such as the UK, South Africa, and any others, to stay at least 14 days out of these countries before entering the kingdom. Saudi citizens who are allowed to enter for humanitarian and essential cases, coming from countries where the new Covid-19 variant spread, are required to remain in their homes for 14 days for observation. Cases of the new variant, which was first detected in the UK, have been reported in European countries including France, Sweden, and Spain. It has also been detected in South Africa, Jordan, Canada, and Japan. Saudi Arabia has started rolling out vaccines against COVID-19, starting with those considered high risk. The Kingdom has also seen a steady decline in the number of new cases and deaths from the pandemic.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2718671/saudi-arabia-ends-entry-ban-keeps-some-coronavirus-restrictions