Saudi Arabia halts international flights; land, sea entry for a renewable week

Ministry of Interior - Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia decided to temporarily halt international flights – except in emergency cases – for a renewable week over an infectious new strain of the novel coronavirus, a Ministry of Interior official said.  

The international flights that have already arrived at the Kingdom will be allowed to depart from Saudi Arabia, the official added. 

Moreover, the Kingdom suspended entry to its land, and sea ports for a renewable week. 

All persons returning to the Kingdom from any European country, or from any country where the mutation was detected, shall according to the health ministry instructions starting from Dec. 8, 2020, abide by the following:

1) Staying at home for two weeks from the date of arrival at the Kingdom.

2) Conducting COVID-19 testing during the previously-mentioned two-week period, with retesting every five days. 

All persons returning from or transiting any European country or any country where the pandemic was detected, in the last three months are required to conduct the COVID-19 testing.  

Movement of commodities, goods and supply chains will be continued with the countries, in which no pandemic was detected, based on the health ministry recommendations. 

The measures will be reconsidered in light of the health ministry recommendations, the official added.