Saudi Arabia to ease international flight restrictions from September 15

Saudi Arabia will partially lift its suspension on international flights from September 15, the interior ministry says, six months after travel curbs were imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The kingdom will end all restrictions on air, land and sea transport for Saudi citizens “after January 1” next year, the ministry adds, without specifying an exact date.

Gulf citizens and non-Saudis with valid residency permits or visas will be allowed to enter the kingdom from September 15, as long as they are not infected with the virus, the ministry says in a statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Other “exceptional categories,” including government and military employees, foreign embassy workers and people requiring medical treatment, will also be allowed from September 15.

The ministry adds that Saudi Arabia will later announce a plan to gradually allow the umrah pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia suspended the year-round umrah in March, over fears of the coronavirus pandemic spreading to Islam’s holiest cities.

— AFP