Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued a circular to all airlines operating in the Kingdom’s airports banning direct or indirect travel of citizens to the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Vietnam and Afghanistan as well as suspending entry from these countries.

The directive was issued following the information from the competent Saudi authorities regarding the spread of a new mutated strain of coronavirus in these countries.

GACA explained that travel will be allowed to these countries only after obtaining prior permission from the concerned authorities. According to the circular, the entry of non-Saudis from these countries to Saudi Arabia will be to those who stayed 14 days outside these countries as well as all other previously announced countries.

All such travelers, including Saudis and foreigners, are required to remain in institutional quarantine for one week upon their arrival in the Kingdom.

Citizens who are currently in any of these countries and who wish to return before 11 p.m. on Sunday, July 4, will have exemption from the travel ban and institutional quarantine.

GACA noted that these travel restrictions would not be applicable to flights to evacuate violators of residency regulations in the Kingdom.