After more than a year, Saudis free to travel abroad.
Early monday morning at Riyadh's international airport, there was anticipation but no crowd as saudi arabia repealed a prohibition on residents leaving the gulf state without permission. For the first time since march 2020, Saudi nationals who have had at least one COVID-19 immunisation shot at least two weeks prior to travel, those who have recovered from coronavirus sickness within the past six months, and those under the age of 18 will be allowed to travel.
"Thank god, we are delighted," said Bandar Al Nawash, a passenger waiting at the king Khalid international Airport's departure lounge. Faisal Al Tamimi, a fellow national, said he had expected a massive crowd at the airport when the ban was removed at 1 a.m. local time on monday, but there were just a few passengers. Due to COVID-19 concerns, Saudi nationals are still prohibited from visiting 13 countries without prior authorisation, whether by direct or indirect flights.
On sunday, saudi arabia, which has a population of 30 million people, reported 825 new coronavirus infections, bringing the total number of cases to 433,094, with 7,162 deaths. More than 11.5 million immunizations have been provided in the gulf Arab state so far, according to authorities.
"Thank god, we are delighted," said Bandar Al Nawash, a passenger waiting at the king Khalid international Airport's departure lounge. Faisal Al Tamimi, a fellow national, said he had expected a massive crowd at the airport when the ban was removed at 1 a.m. local time on monday, but there were just a few passengers. Due to COVID-19 concerns, Saudi nationals are still prohibited from visiting 13 countries without prior authorisation, whether by direct or indirect flights.
On sunday, saudi arabia, which has a population of 30 million people, reported 825 new coronavirus infections, bringing the total number of cases to 433,094, with 7,162 deaths. More than 11.5 million immunizations have been provided in the gulf Arab state so far, according to authorities.