Saudi Arabia ends travel suspension from May 17

Saudi Arabia to reopen its air, land and sea borders for foreign travel from Monday (May 17), announced the Ministry of Interior of the travel resumption from 1 AM.

Based on recommendations by competent health authorities, the decision applies to all citizens who have received the first and both jabs of Covid-19 vaccines provided that it was administered 14 days before the travel, those who recovered from the infection less than six months ago and citizens under 18 years of age, given that they present valid health insurance approved by the Central Bank of Saudi Arabia, covering the risks of Covid-19 when outside the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry has also announced mandatory institutional quarantine or home quarantine on international arrivals, to be effective from May 20. Saudi nationals, official delegations, diplomats and their families will be exempted from the institutional quarantine but have to self-quarantine at home.

In the latest query clarification, Kingdom's flag carrier Saudia airline stated that the directive would continue entry ban on 20 countries, including India, the UAE, Pakistan, the US, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Brazil, Portugal, the UK, Argentina, Germany, Turkey, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Lebanon, Egypt and Japan. In a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Saudi will continue not to permit diplomats, health practitioners and their families transiting or travelling from the aforementioned 20 countries 14 days before their application to enter the Kingdom.