Saudi Arabia has imposed temporary travel restrictions to anyone coming or transiting from 20 countries including Egypt, UAE, Lebanon, US, Brazil, UK, India and South Africa to stem the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
The travel ban excludes citizens, diplomats, as well as health practitioners and their families coming from the said destinations, the Saudi Press Agency SPA reported.
Citizens from the banned countries can enter Saudi Arabia in accordance with the precautionary measures in force.
An official from the Ministry of Interior was quoted by SPA as saying that the entry ban will go into effect from Wednesday, February 3, at 9p.m.
The temporary suspension of permission to enter will be applicable to anyone who comes from, or has transited through any of those countries, 14 days prior to the date they wish to enter the kingdom.
In January, Saudi Arabia pushed the date for the full reopening of its air, land and sea borders and the resumption of all international flights to May 17.
On February 2, Saudi reported 310 new Covid-19 cases, taking the total number of infections up to 368,639. Of these, 360,110 have recovered, and 6,383 have died.
