RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has decided to lift the travel ban on three countries, including the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Argentina from 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8. An official source at the Ministry of Interior said on Tuesday that it had decided to lift the suspension of entry to the Kingdom from these countries through the land, sea and air ports, and that Saudi citizens will also be allowed to travel to these countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported. According to the source, the ministry's decision is based on the report submitted by the competent health authorities about the stable coronavirus pandemic situation in these countries. The ministry source stressed the importance of adhering to all the precautionary measures and preventive protocols taken to stem the spread of coronavirus. "All procedures and measures are subject to continuous evaluation by the competent health authorities in the Kingdom in accordance with the developments in the epidemiological situation across the world," the source added. With Tuesday's decision of the Ministry of Interior, the number of countries facing travel ban came down to 10 and they are India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Brazil, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Lebanon. On Aug. 24, the ministry had issued directives to allow direct entry of fully vaccinated expatriates from countries facing travel ban. This decision is applicable only to those foreigners who have a valid residency permit (iqama) and left the Kingdom on exit and reentry visa after taking two doses of vaccine against coronavirus from Saudi Arabia. The authorities had allowed earlier direct entry to Saudi citizens, as well as to foreign diplomats, health practitioners and their families from the countries facing travel ban. All other segments required to spend 14-day quarantine in a third country before their entry into the Kingdom.
