Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has warned that legal procedures will be taken against those who commit any violations of the government order with regard to lifting of the direct entry ban for fully vaccinated residency permit (iqama) holders.

In a circular sent on Wednesday to all airlines operating in the Kingdom’s airports, including private airlines, GACA confirmed the issuance of the government decision to remove the suspension of direct entry of immune iqama holders to the Kingdom from 13 countries facing travel ban.

In the circular, GACA stated that the ban for direct entry has been removed only for the Kingdom’s iqama holders who have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine inside the Kingdom before their departure from the Kingdom.

The iqama holders shall also comply with all other precautionary measures and health requirements in the Kingdom, GACA said.

“The failure to comply with circulars issued by GACA is an explicit violation of government’s orders and legal procedures shall be taken against the violators, who will be held accountable,” the circular said.

The Ministry of Interior issued directives on Tuesday to allow direct entry of fully vaccinated expatriates from countries facing travel ban. The diplomatic missions of the concerned countries have also received a directive in this regard from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

The new decision will be applicable only to those foreigners who have a valid residency permit (iqama) and left the Kingdom on exit and reentry visa after taking two doses of vaccine against coronavirus from Saudi Arabia.

Currently, the countries facing the travel ban are India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Lebanon.

The Ministry of Interior source said that the authorities had allowed earlier direct entry to Saudi citizens, as well as to foreign diplomats, health practitioners and their families from the countries facing travel ban.

All other segments were required to spend 14-day quarantine in a third country before their entry into the Kingdom.