Saudi Arabia To Allow Direct Entry of Travelers From India, 5 Other Countries Starting Dec 01

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced that it will allow direct entry of travelers from six countries including India without spending 14-day quarantine in a third country.

The other countries include Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia Pakistan, and Vietnam. The new directive will come into force from 1:00 am on Wednesday, 01st Dec 2021;

However, those who are arriving from these countries are institutional quarantine procedures will be applied to them for (5) days regardless of their immunization status outside the Kingdom, while continuing to apply the exceptions issued regarding some categories in this regard.

The External Affairs Ministry of Saudi Arabia said that it will continue applying the exemptions issued earlier with regard to quarantine for some categories of travelers.

After Thursday’s decision to allow direct entry from six countries, the remaining countries that are still facing the travel ban are Turkey, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Lebanon.

It must be noted that earlier this month Saudi Arabia has now recognized and approved the Covishield vaccine, produced by the Serum Institute of India. Covishield has joined the list of eight other approved vaccines including;

Covid-19 Vaccines Approved By Saudi Arabia For Travel

• Pfizer BioNTech
• Comirnaty
• Oxford AstraZeneca
• SK Bioscience
• Vaxzevria
• Moderna
• Spikevax and
• Johnson & Johnson

The Ministry of Interior source stressed the importance of adhering to the application of all precautionary measures and preventive protocols that have been taken to stem the spread of coronavirus.

“All the procedures and measures are subject to continuous evaluation by the competent health authorities in the Kingdom, according to the developments in the epidemiological situation globally.”

The source said adding that the decision was taken after a continuous follow-up of the pandemic situation locally and globally, as well as after examining reports of the Saudi health authorities about the developments of the COVID-19 pandemic and the extent of the stability of the epidemiological situation in a number of countries.

Also Read: UAE May Resume Normal Flight Services With India Soon, Says UAE Ambassador