Saudi Arabia eases all COVID-19 restrictions

Logo of Ministry of Interior

Saudi Arabia eased the remaining COVID-19 restrictions starting today, March 5, Saudi Press Agency reported, citing an official source from the Ministry of Interior. 

The Saudi government lifted the social distancing measures at the Grand Mosque, the Prophet's Mosque, and other mosques, while adhering to face masking. It also suspended social distancing measures at all closed and open places, activities and events.

Further, the government lifted the mandatory PCR required for arrivals.

However, all visitors with visas of all kinds are required to have insurance to cover the costs of treatment against COVID-19 during their stay in the Kingdom.

Institutional and home quarantine is cancelled for the Kingdom’s visitors.

In addition, the government lifted the suspension of direct arrival to the Kingdom as well as the flights coming to and from the following countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, Comoros, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan.

The source stressed the importance of completing the implementation of the national plan for immunization, which includes taking the third booster dose, as well as applying the procedures to verify the health status in the Tawakkalna application to enter the facilities, activities, and events, in addition to boarding planes and public transportation. 

The measures taken above are subject to the continuous evaluation by the competent health authorities in the Kingdom, as per the developments of the epidemiological situation, the source noted.

He pointed out that the decision was taken after following up with the epidemiological situation in the country.