Covid-19 cases are growing rapidly in the middle east. After the UK added UAE to the red list, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also banned travellers from the UAE and 20 other countries. This measure has been taken to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Saudi Arabia suspended entry of people from 20 countries on Tuesday, with the exception of diplomats, Saudi citizens, medical professionals, in a bid to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The suspension which begins from Wednesday includes travellers who transited through the banned countries within the 14 days prior to their journey to the country, The News International reported.
“The source added that the citizens, diplomats, health practitioners and their families coming from the aforementioned countries or those who transited any of those countries during the 14 days preceding their return to the Kingdom will enter the Kingdom in accordance with the precautionary measures imposed by the Ministry of Health,” Al Arabiya quoted the Saudi Press Agency.
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مصدر مسؤول بوزارة الداخلية: تعليق السماح بدخول المملكة لغير المواطنين والدبلوماسيين والممارسين الصحيين وعائلاتهم مؤقتاً للقادمين من 20 دولة اعتباراً من الساعة 9 من مساء يوم الأربعاء الموافق 3 / 2 / 2021م.#واس_عام pic.twitter.com/e1aTCS8tXP— واس العام (@SPAregions) February 2, 2021
In terms of the travel ban, countries included in the list are UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey, as well as the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Japan. The ban has come into play from Wednesday, February 3.
Also Read: UAE Announces New Citizenship Law for Expatriates, All you need to know