Saudi Arabia to lift travel restrictions after Jan 1

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will completely lift restrictions on citizens leaving and returning to the Kingdom and allowing the opening of land, sea and airports after January 1, 2021.

The Saudi government will soon announce a plan to gradually resume Umrah based on COVID-19 developments. The move is part of new measures to ease coronavirus-related restrictions, Saudi state-owned media reported quoted government officials.

All citizens can leave and return to the country, while all entry ports will be reopened to allow the crossing of all transport modes through land, sea, and airports, after January 1, 2021, in accordance with procedures followed prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The exact date for lifting the suspension of travel and allowing the land, sea and air transport shall be announced 30 days before January 1, 2021 after the situation is reviewed.

The Ministry of Health could demand the implementation of preventive health requirements for passengers and carriers while traveling as well as airport lounges, ports and terminals.

The exempted groups who will be allowed to enter and exit the Kingdom before January 1 include GCC citizens, non-Saudi visa holders, ill Saudi citizens who need treatment abroad, Saudi students, diplomats and businessmen. However, they need to show a negative PCR test before boarding flights or entering sea and land ports.