Interior Ministry: 10,000 Saudis Travelled Abroad After after Easing Travel Restrictions

Citizens at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (Photo: Saad al-Dossary)
Citizens at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (Photo: Saad al-Dossary)
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Interior Ministry: 10,000 Saudis Travelled Abroad After after Easing Travel Restrictions

Citizens at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (Photo: Saad al-Dossary)
Citizens at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (Photo: Saad al-Dossary)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced that 10,452 citizens have travelled abroad via land crossings and airports 24 hours after Riyadh eased travel restrictions on Monday.

The ministry stated on its Twitter account, that 1,938 citizens travelled to the UAE, 1,545 to Egypt, 299 to Qatar, 233 to the United States, and 165 to the United Kingdom.

It added that 5,717 citizens left through five land ports: 3,362 through King Fahd Causeway, 689 via al-Batha, 673 al-Haditha, 325 Salwa, and 270 al-Khafji border crossings.

Saudi Arabia had banned citizens and residents from travelling abroad for the past 14 months out of concerns for the coronavirus pandemic.

On Monday, the government permitted citizens immunized against Covid-19 and children under 18 to travel abroad.

The Interior Ministry said three categories of people would be considered immunized -- those who have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, those administered a single dose at least 14 days prior to travel, and people who have recovered from the infection within the previous six months.

Travelers must provide an insurance policy approved by the Saudi Central Bank, covering the risks of COVID-19 abroad.

The Ministry indicated that those travelling to Bahrain must be above 18 and must present proof via the Tawakkalna app about their health status whether they are immunized, fully vaccinated, or recovering patients.

It stated that all precautions and preventive measures related to travel will be subject to continuous evaluation by the Public Health Authority (Weqaya), according to the developments of the epidemiological situation.



Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
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Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued on Sunday a circular indicating that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.”

Lebanon's health ministry expressed surprise and said it would seek clarification.

It said it received the Kuwaiti statement "with great surprise", adding it had not been provided with "any information or notification from any Kuwaiti entity about this matter.”

"The hospitals mentioned in the statement are registered with the syndicate of private hospitals in Lebanon and carry out their role in providing treatment and health services to all Lebanese without exception," the ministry statement said.

It called the facilities "an essential part of the Lebanese health system,” and said it would contact the relevant authorities to request clarification and "protect Lebanon's health system.”

It noted that "Kuwait has numerous joint projects with the ministry... and has been among the most prominent countries that have stood by the health system during the successive crises that Lebanon has faced.”

The latest move was "unprecedented and inconsistent" with the Gulf country's usual approach, it added.


Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martínez in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of mutual interest.


Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
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Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed developments in Syria.