Saudi Arabia Ends Entry Ban, Keeps Some Coronavirus Restrictions

Travelers wearing protective face masks walk at Riyadh International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 31, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
Travelers wearing protective face masks walk at Riyadh International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 31, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
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Saudi Arabia Ends Entry Ban, Keeps Some Coronavirus Restrictions

Travelers wearing protective face masks walk at Riyadh International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 31, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
Travelers wearing protective face masks walk at Riyadh International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 31, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

Saudi Arabia said that entry to the kingdom by sea land and air will be resumed starting Sunday after a ban that lasted two weeks amid fears of a new coronavirus variant, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday.

A ministry of interior official said that some restrictions including asking people coming from countries where the new variant spread such as the UK, South Africa, and any others, to stay at least 14 days out of these countries before entering the kingdom.

Saudi citizens who are allowed to enter for humanitarian and essential cases, coming from countries where the new Covid-19 variant spread, are required to remain in their homes for 14 days for observation.

Cases of the new variant, which was first detected in the UK, have been reported in European countries including France, Sweden, and Spain. It has also been detected in South Africa, Jordan, Canada, and Japan.

Saudi Arabia has started rolling out vaccines against COVID-19, starting with those considered high risk.

The Kingdom has also seen a steady decline in the number of new cases and deaths from the pandemic.



Saudi, French Foreign Ministers Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi, French Foreign Ministers Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah spoke by telephone on Monday with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The two foreign ministers discussed the latest regional developments and their impact on the region’s security and stability.