Covid-19: Saudi Arabia bans entry from 20 countries including UAE, UK and India

Saudi Arabia has decided to ban entry into the kingdom from 20 countries including the UAE, UK and India, to stem the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

An official from the Ministry of Interior said that entry ban will go into effect from Wednesday, February 3, at 9pm, reported state news channel Saudi Press Agency.

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.

#عاجل
مصدر مسؤول بوزارة الداخلية: تعليق السماح بدخول المملكة لغير المواطنين والدبلوماسيين والممارسين الصحيين وعائلاتهم مؤقتاً للقادمين من 20 دولة اعتباراً من الساعة 9 من مساء يوم الأربعاء الموافق 3 / 2 / 2021م.#واس_عام pic.twitter.com/e1aTCS8tXP

— واس العام (@SPAregions) February 2, 2021

The complete list of 20 countries from where entry will be banned include:

– UAE
– Germany
– USA
– UK
– South Africa
– France
– Egypt
– Lebanon
– India
– Pakistan
– Argentina
– Brazil
– Indonesia
– Ireland
– Italy
– Japan
– Portugal
– Sweden
– Swiss Confederation
– Turkey

An exception will be made for diplomats, Saudi citizens, medical practitioners and their families.

Read: Saudi extends border closures, travel ban for citizens until May

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 as a result of it.