In a major move, Saudi Arabia has announced the suspension of all international flights, except in exceptional cases for a period of two weeks, starting from 11am tomorrow (March 15), considering this as an exceptional official holiday for both citizens and expatriates who were unable to return due to the suspension of flights or because of being quarantined on return to the kingdom by the Ministry of Health or being subjected to self-isolation at their homes, reported state news agency SPA.
The announcement comes soon after the recent decision to extend flight and travel bans to the European Union and 12 other countries - Switzerland, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Sudan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Eritrea, Kenya, Djibouti, and Somalia.
The drastic step was taken after 24 new cases were reported in the kingdom in one night thus taking its total to 45, state media reported on Thursday.
The government also declared that citizens and residents in the affected jurisdictions had 72 hours to return to the kingdom.
These preventive and precautionary measures have been recommended by the competent health authorities in Saudi Arabia, as part of its unremitting efforts to control the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), stated the report, citing an official source in the Ministry of Interior.
It emanates from the country's keenness on protecting the health of citizens and residents and ensuring their safety, and based on the World Health Organization's (WHO) directives espcially after the Covid-19 has been declared a global pandemic, it added.
According to the Interior Ministry, necessary arrangements will be made regarding health procedures for examination and isolation in accordance with the preventive measures adopted for all arrivals.
The ministry, in co-ordination with Ministry of Health, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and other relevant agencies, is working out on a plan to bring back citizens who wish to return home and relevant procedures will be announced within a week, it added.
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