Saudi Arabia suspends entry from 20 countries including India, US, UK

Saudi Arabia has suspended entry from 20 countries, ranging from some neighboring states to the US in a bid to curb an increases in coronavirus infections, according to reports.

The Interior Ministry announced the “temporary suspension” would be effective from 9 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Wednesday, according to the Saudi Press Agency cited by AFP.

The ban applies to Egypt and the UAE and in the wider region, to Lebanon and Turkey.

In Europe, the ban includes Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland.

Elsewhere, as well as the US, it applies to Argentina, Brazil, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan and South Africa.

Saudi citizens, as well as diplomats and health workers coming from those countries, will be allowed to enter the kingdom “in accordance with the precautionary measures,” it added.

The announcement comes after Saudi’s Health Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah warned on Sunday that new coronavirus restrictions could be imposed if citizens and residents do not comply with health restrictions.

Saudi Arabia has reported more than 368,000 coronavirus cases and nearly 6,400 deaths, the highest among Gulf Arab states.
Daily infections dipped below 100 in early January, from a peak of nearly 5,000 last June.

However, new daily infections have tripled since then, with 310 cases reported by the Health Ministry on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia launched its coronavirus vaccination campaign on December 17 after receiving the first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

The Health Ministry said the program would roll out in three phases, starting with people over 65 and those with chronic ailments, or who are at high risk of infection.

But last month the ministry said it was forced to slow the rollout due to a delay in vaccine deliveries.