Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens and expatriates from traveling to China in a move to curb contamination by the coronavirus, which has already killed over 800 people in China.
State-run news agency SPA said citizens who violate the ban will face punishment upon their return while expatriates who neglect travel advisory will not be allowed to return to the kingdom, hosting 13 million expats. So far, no coronavirus case has been reported in the country.
Early this week, General Directorate of Passports started questioning travelers coming to the kingdom, at various entries points, if they travelled to China during the 15 days prior to their arrival in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia via its embassy in China said it was evacuating its nationals from Wuhan city locked down in efforts to prevent the spread of contamination.
