Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that foreign visitors arriving by air from most countries will no longer be required to quarantine as long as they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. However, the kingdom will maintain a ban on entry for travelers from 20 other countries, including the United States, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the United Arab Emirates, as part of its virus containment measures.
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation stated that visitors arriving in the kingdom from eligible countries who have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 will no longer be required to spend seven days in government-designated hotel quarantine if they present official vaccination certificates upon arrival, effective from May 20.
Currently, the kingdom mandates that all arrivals from abroad undergo quarantine for a period of seven to 14 days based on their countries of origin and present proof of being COVID-free. Under the new rules, any individual over the age of eight who is unvaccinated will need to enter quarantine immediately upon arrival in Saudi Arabia for seven days at their own expense, starting May 20, and provide a negative PCR test result on the sixth day of their arrival.
These individuals will also need to show proof of having a health insurance plan to cover any potential risks arising from COVID-19 infection. They must also present negative PCR test results taken no more than 72 hours before boarding their flight to the kingdom.
Separately, the Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the continuation of a travel ban for Saudis to 13 countries, whether through direct or indirect flights, without prior permission from the authorities due to COVID-19 risks. The affected countries are Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Somalia, Congo, Afghanistan, Belarus, and India.
In February, the kingdom had banned entry from 20 countries except for diplomats, Saudi citizens, and medical sector workers and their families as part of measures to curb the spread of the pandemic.
