Saudi Arabia announced today, Thursday, that the third booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is a requirement for citizens wishing to leave the kingdom. A responsible source from the Ministry of Interior stated that this decision was made in light of ongoing monitoring of the pandemic situation locally and globally, and based on recommendations from relevant authorities regarding the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to combat COVID-19 and related developments, in order to maintain public health:
First: Citizens wishing to leave the country must receive the third booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if at least three months have passed since they received their second dose. Exceptions apply to individuals under 16 years of age and other exempt groups as indicated in the Tawakkalna application.
Second: All individuals arriving in Saudi Arabia, including citizens—regardless of their vaccination status—are required to present a negative result from an approved PCR test or a rapid antigen test for COVID-19 within 48 hours of their departure to or entry into the kingdom. Exceptions are made for those under 8 years of age, noting the regulations of the originating countries regarding testing for children.
Third: Citizens who test positive for COVID-19 will be allowed to enter the kingdom without the need for retesting after the following periods:
1- Seven days from the date of the positive sample collection for those who have completed the approved vaccination doses in the kingdom.
2- Ten days from the date of the positive sample collection for those who have not completed the approved vaccination doses in the kingdom.
This measure will take effect from 1:00 AM on Wednesday, 8/7/1443 AH, which corresponds to 9/2/2022 CE. Furthermore, the source emphasized the necessity for everyone to adhere to precautionary measures, preventive actions, and established health protocols, and to expedite the completion of the approved vaccine doses.
From February 1, the Ministry of Health announced that starting from February 1, 2022, a person's immunization status will change after eight months have passed since the second dose. They clarified, "The immunization status does not change if the period is less than eight months." A responsible source in the Ministry of Interior previously indicated that beginning February 1, 2022, receiving the booster dose will be a condition for maintaining the "Vaccinated" status in the Tawakkalna application, which serves as the vaccination passport in the kingdom for those who have passed eight months or more since their second dose, applicable to individuals aged 18 and older. It was also noted that from the aforementioned date, the "Vaccinated" status in the Tawakkalna application will be required for entering any economic, commercial, cultural, sporting, tourism activities, or any cultural, scientific, social, or entertainment events.
