Manama: Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended all international flights for one week over concern about the fast-spreading new strain of coronavirus in a number of European countries.
The flight ban maybe extended until medical information about the nature of this virus becomes clear, state-run SPA reported late Sunday citing an official source at the Interior Ministry.
Sea ports and land borders will also close for a week. Travel suspension will not affect the country’s cargo flights and supply chains, according to the interior ministry.
Some flights will be allowed in exceptional circumstances, SPA said.
The government said that anyone who has returned from or passed through a European country over the past three months to get tested for coronavirus immediately.
Anyone who has returned to the Kingdom from European or high-risk countries after Dec. 8 is required to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival. And they must also undergo a COVID-19 test during the quarantine period and repeat the test in every five days.
These travel restrictions will be reviewed in the light of the coronavirus-related developments, according to the source.
Foreign flights that are currently in the Saudi territory will be exempt and will be allowed to leave, the source said.
The ban comes after the British government announced the new faster-spreading strain of the COVID-19 virus.
Kuwait has banned flights coming from the UK amid mounting concern over a new strain of coronavirus.
The British government also intensified its COVID-19 restrictions in London and nearby areas, disrupting Christmas celebration plans for millions of people in the country.
Currently, Saudi has been on a partial travel restriction since September 15. The full-scale ban for international passenger flights was imposed in March. The interior ministry announced on September 13 that it would end all restrictions on air, land and sea transport after January 1, 2021.
