Saudis head to Bahrain; Dubai allows events

Saudis head to Bahrain; Dubai allows events

AL JASRAH, Bahrain: Hundreds of cars crowded roads linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain yesterday, as Riyadh permitted citizens vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel abroad more than a year after barring external trips. The King Fahd Causeway, a 25 km series of bridges closed in March last year, was packed with traffic as Saudi Arabia reopened its land, sea and air borders.

The easing of rules prompted a rush of holidaymakers to exit the kingdom, following the holiday of Eid Al-Fitr. “It’s a beautiful feeling after such a long absence from Bahrain,” said Mohammed, a Saudi travelling to the island nation. The opening of borders will give a welcome boost to Bahrain’s tourism industry, which is heavily reliant on high-rollers from its conservative neighbor, the Arab world’s biggest economy.

For decades, the causeway linking Bahrain to Saudi Arabia has served as a key artery, bringing visitors who pack out Bahrain’s nightclubs, shopping malls and hotels. But since coronavirus slammed on the brakes, traffic was reduced to a trickle. Travelers also flocked to Saudi Arabia’s airports yesterday for flights abroad.

“We have been confined within Saudi for around a year and a half, so we can hardly believe the ban is lifted and we can