Manama: Saudi Arabia on Monday extended the suspension of all passenger flights as well as a ban on entry to the Kingdom by land borders and seaports for another week, state-run SPA news agency reported.
In a statement to the SPA, the Ministry of Interior said the decision was a precautionary measure against the spread of the new COVID-19 strain, which had been detected in a number of countries.
The ministry is assessing the current situation and suspension of travel could be further extended, if necessary, the statement added.
The decision exempts the movement of goods, commodities, and supply chains.
General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) on Sunday announced that foreigners could leave the country through chartered flights.
According to the GACA circular, airlines are permitted to land in the country and depart with non-Saudi travelers. Foreign charter flights are allowed subject to certain conditions. The cabin crew of a landing flight is neither permitted to leave the flight nor permitted to be in physical contact with the ground /operation staff of the arrival airport.
Saudi had suspended all commercial flights on December 20 for a week over the emergence of a \\\\a new variant of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Kuwait on Monday announced that it would resume flights starting from Jan. 2.
Kuwait Council of Ministers said land and sea borders will open from 9 am until 3 pm and the decision will be reviewed according to developments regarding the spread of the coronavirus.
The new Covid strain appeared earlier this month in the United Kingdom and has already reached several countries across the world. More than 50 countries imposed travel restrictions on Britain as a result of the new virus.
