Saudi to retain ban on 20 countries when international flights resume in May

Countries remaining on the banned list include the UAE, India and the UK

Saudi Arabia will continue its ban on flights from 20 countries when it resumes international travel on 17 May.

The 20 countries from where entry will continue to be banned include the UAE, Germany, the US, the UK, South Africa, France, Egypt, Lebanon, India, Pakistan, Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.

The kingdom had imposed the ban in early February to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Entry restrictions were also placed on travellers who passed through any of the prohibited countries in the 14 days prior to their application to enter the kingdom.

Confirmation of the news came via a post on Saudia’s Twitter feed: “The suspension of all international flights will be lifted as of 1am on Monday, May 17, 2021. It does not apply to countries where the relevant official committee decides to suspend travel to or from due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.”

Oman has also announced an indefinite ban on the entry of travellers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The ban applies to travellers who have been in or visited those countries in the 14 days preceding their arrival in the sultanate.

For more information, visit www.saudia.com