International tourists arriving by air from most countries will no longer need to be quarantined if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19, Saudi Arabia reported on Sunday (May 16).
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Visitors from 20 other nations, including the United States, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the United Arab Emirates, are also barred from entering the kingdom as part of anti-coronavirus initiatives.
Quarantine No Longer Required for Vaccinated Travellers in Saudi Arabia
Non-Saudi tourists arriving in the kingdom by air from qualifying countries who are completely vaccinated or who have had COVID-19 and recovered will no longer be required to stay in government-approved hotels for seven days as long as they present an official vaccination certificate upon arrival, according to the civil aviation authority (GACA), the Al-Arabiya reported.
Currently, all travelers entering the kingdom must be quarantined for seven to fourteen days, depending on their origin countries, and provide negative PCR checks.
As of May 20, anyone over the age of eight who has not been vaccinated must quarantine for seven days at their own expense upon arrival in Saudi Arabia and have a negative PCR test on the sixth day of their arrival, according to GACA.
They must also present a valid health insurance policy that covers COVID-19 risks. They’ll also need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before flying to the kingdom.
Separately, the Saudi ministry of interior reported that due to COVID-19 threats, Saudi citizens are still prohibited from flying directly or indirectly to 13 countries without prior permission from authorities.
Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Belarus, and India are the countries involved.
To help combat the spread of the coronavirus, the kingdom suspended entry from 20 countries in February, with the exception of ambassadors, Saudi residents, medical professionals, and their relatives.
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