In the wake of rising cases of Coronavirus, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday banned entry to the Kingdom from 20 countries, with the exception of diplomats, medical practitioners and their families.
The temporary ban, effective from February 3, includes people arriving from the United Arab Emirates, Germany, the United States, Britain, Sweden, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, France, Egypt, Lebanon, India and Pakistan, according to Arab News.
The ban also applies to travellers who transited through any of the 20 countries in the 14 days before a planned visit to the Kingdom.
“We have unfortunately in recent days registered a noticeable increase and continued rise in infections. One of the main reasons is gatherings and complacency with precautionary measures,” said Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah.
Saudi Arabia recorded 270 new infections on Saturday, 105 of them in the capital, Riyadh. The Kingdom has recorded more than 367,800 cases and 6,370 deaths so far.
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Rushda Fathima Khan is the Staff Reporter for The Cognate.
