RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority issued on Monday updated its travel advisory outlining more coronavirus precautionary measures. The travel advisory issued by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) coincided with the resumption of international travel. It includes the previously announced procedures in addition to new preventive measures. The new advisory includes several new procedures which are the following: — The Tawakkalna application is a must to gain entry to all airports in the Kingdom — Travel is only allowed for the permitted categories in accordance with the requirements specified by the competent authorities — Entry to airports is restricted to those who carry travel tickets, except for those accompanying people with disabilities — It is necessary to ensure health requirements of the intended destinations are followed and all precautionary measures are adhered to — Travelers are requested to reach airports well in advance of their flights and to ensure that they are in good health before entering airport lounges. —Travelers whose body temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius will be prevented from entering airports — The use of electronic payment methods is encouraged in order to reduce the use of banknotes — Commitment to board planes according to seats allocated by airlines, and to apply physical distancing among fellow passengers — Aircrews and passengers inside planes must wear face masks and hand gloves throughout the flight and maintain social distancing as much as possible while providing meals and other services — Prayer areas in planes, if any, must be closed The updated advisory also touched upon measures that are needed to be taken when there is a suspected coronavirus positive case. It calls for the allocation of some seats as a quarantine area to deal with potential emergencies during the flight and appointing a crew member to deal with the patient and limit his movement as much as possible. Upon arrival, the patient's luggage should be delivered in accordance with the laid down procedures and he or she should be transferred to the hospital.
