RIYADH – The new travel restrictions, announced recently by the Ministry of Interior, have come into force on Wednesday. According to the new regulations, all Saudi citizens must take the booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine for travel outside the Kingdom effective from Feb. 9. This will be applicable to citizens who have completed three months after receiving the second dose of the vaccine. However, there is an exemption for taking booster dose for those who are under 16 years or those who are given exemption from receiving the vaccine on health grounds and that shall be in line with their status on the Tawakkalna application. All travelers, including Saudis, arriving in the Kingdom, regardless of their immunization status, are required to submit an approved negative PCR test or negative antigen test result issued within 48 hours of their departure date or the date of entry into the Kingdom, the ministry said. Children below the age of eight years are exempted from the tests in view of the regulations prevailing in their countries of origin with regard to coronavirus infection control. Citizens whose test results showed that they are infected with coronavirus will be allowed to enter the Kingdom without the need for a PCR test provided that seven days have passed since they tested positive and that they have received the vaccine doses approved by the Kingdom. Saudi travelers who have not taken all approved doses of the vaccine will be allowed into the country only after 10 days in case of testing positive for the virus. They will not require any PCR test. The ministry said the new restrictions were introduced in line with constant follow-up of the epidemiological situation locally and globally, and as part of the measures being taken by the Kingdom to counter the spread of COVID -19 and preserve public health.
