Covid-19: Only fully vaccinated Saudi citizens can travel abroad

Photo: Reuters

Riyadh - The decision was made based on new waves of infection globally, among other factors.

By Staff Report

Published: Mon 19 Jul 2021, 12:32 PM

Last updated: Thu 29 Jul 2021, 12:49 PM

Saudi citizens will need two Covid-19 vaccine doses before they can travel outside the kingdom from August 9, state news agency SPA reported, citing the ministry of interior.

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The decision was made based on new waves of infection globally, new mutations, and the “low efficacy of one vaccination dose against these mutations,” the statement said.

The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has issued a new circular to all airlines, both public and private, operating from the Kingdom’s airports.

The circular stipulates that airlines can carry citizens on international flights, provided that they have received all doses of one of the anti-coronavirus vaccines approved in the Kingdom, with the exception of passengers under the age of 12.

Travellers under the age of 12 are required to present an insurance document approved by the Saudi Central Bank that covers the risks of Covid-19 infection outside the Kingdom.

In addition, citizens who recovered from the virus less than 6 months ago and those who contracted corona more than 6 months ago and received a single dose of one of the approved vaccines in the Kingdom can travel abroad.

GACA said that these procedures will come into effect on August 9.

(with inputs from Reuters, SPA)