Saudi Arabia Bars Travel to Indonesia over Pandemic

Locals wearing protective masks, to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), stand in line to receive assistance from Indonesian president in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 16, 2021. (Reuters)
Locals wearing protective masks, to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), stand in line to receive assistance from Indonesian president in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 16, 2021. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Bars Travel to Indonesia over Pandemic

Locals wearing protective masks, to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), stand in line to receive assistance from Indonesian president in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 16, 2021. (Reuters)
Locals wearing protective masks, to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), stand in line to receive assistance from Indonesian president in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 16, 2021. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia announced on Wednesday it was barring its citizens from traveling to Indonesia over concerns about the coronavirus outbreak there.

An official source at the Interior Ministry said the decision is based on the Kingdom’s keenness on the safety of its citizens, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

It urged Saudis in Indonesia to exercise caution and avoid areas with high infection rates.

Indonesia has one of the world's worst coronavirus outbreaks due to a rapid spread of the Delta variant, reporting around 1,000 deaths from the respiratory disease each day in the past week, including a new record on Wednesday of 1,383 fatalities.



Bahrain and Oman Deepen Ties During King Hamad’s Visit to Muscat

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)
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Bahrain and Oman Deepen Ties During King Hamad’s Visit to Muscat

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)
Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hold talks in Muscat on Tuesday. (BNA)

Oman and Bahrain held expanded talks this week aimed at bolstering their strong bilateral relations and widening their partnership.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq received Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Muscat on Tuesday to discuss opportunities to develop their economic and investment partnership.

They stressed the importance of encouraging the public and private sectors to diversify their fields to meet the aspirations of their people and countries. They also welcomed the establishment of the Omani-Bahraini Investment Company.

King Hamad was in Oman at the head of a senior delegation on January 14 and 15.

The leaders praised the growth of the historic relations between their countries.

They hailed the success of the Omani-Bahraini business council and its role in boosting bilateral cooperation and execution of joint projects that meet their countries’ aspirations.

King Hamad and Sultan Haitham discussed the work of the Gulf Cooperation Council and its success in boosting collective work. They hoped to deepen cooperation and integration between its countries.

They reviewed regional and international developments, underscoring the importance of resolving crises and disputes through peaceful means and bolstering dialogue and international cooperation.

Oman and Bahrain signed 25 agreements and memoranda of understanding during King Hamad’s visit. They covered double taxation, endowments, zakat, meteorology, the stock market, health, media, scientific and educational cooperation, investment opportunities, food security, agricultural production and development and other issues.