Saudi to retain ban on 20 countries including UAE, India and UK when international flights resume in May

Saudi to retain ban on 20 countries including UAE, India and UK when international flights resume in May

Saudi Arabia will continue with its ban on flights from 20 countries when it resumes international travel on May 17, national airline Saudia has said.

The kingdom had imposed the ban in early February to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

The 20 countries from where entry will be banned include the UAE, Germany, the US, the UK, South Africa, France, Egypt, Lebanon, India, Pakistan, Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.

The ban was also applicable to travellers who have passed through any of the prohibited countries in the 14 days prior to their application to enter the kingdom.

Read: Covid-19: Saudi Arabia bans entry from 20 countries including UAE, UK and India

Taking to Twitter, Saudia clarified in response to an enquiry that the ban will remain in place when the country reopens its borders to international flights in mid May.

“The suspension of all international flights will be lifted as of 1am on Monday, May 17, 2021. It does not apply to countries where the relevant official committee decides to suspend travel to or from due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

اهلاً ضيفنا العزيز،.رفع تعليق جميع الرحلات الدولية اعتباراً (من الساعة الواحدة صباحاً من يوم