For the second time, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced extending the suspension of international commercial flights, as well as the ban on entry to the Kingdom by air, land, and sea for another week. However, non-Saudis are allowed to leave the country. The decision comes as a precautionary measure against the spread of the new variant of COVID-19, which had been detected in a number of countries, starting with the UK.
The country had closed its borders last week, following the discovery of the new COVID-19 strain. At the time, health authorities also stated that passengers who had arrived or returned from any country where the new strain had been detected, starting from December 8, must self-isolate for two weeks from the date of entering the kingdom.
Although the new strain of COVID-19 has spread to several European countries, it’s still not as widespread in the Arab world so far.