RIYADH: All non-citizens arriving in Saudi Arabia who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 must quarantine for a minimum of seven days, the interior ministry said on Monday.
The measures will come into force on May 20. People from a list of countries currently banned from traveling to the Kingdom will still not be allowed to visit.
Unvaccinated visitors to the Kingdom will also have to present a valid health insurance document approved by Saudi authorities to cover the risks of the coronavirus.
Some groups will be exempt from the quarantine upon arrival in the country, provided they apply precautionary measures approved by the Ministry of Health. They include:
- Citizens, their spouses and children, along with domestic workers accompanying them
- Unvaccinated domestic workers accompanying a vaccinated resident
- Immunized travelers
- Official delegations
- Individuals carrying a diplomatic visa, diplomats and their families residing with them
- Airline, sea crews, and truck drivers and their assistants
- Individuals involved in health supply chains
The Public Health Authority (Weqaya) said quarantine would apply for those who had received the approved vaccine doses less than 14 days before their arrival in the Kingdom.
For those in quarantine, a PCR test must be taken on the first and seventh day from arrival.
Visitors who have been vaccinated will be required to submit a PCR test certificate within 72 hours of leaving for the Kingdom. Children aged eight and under are exempt.
The quarantine will be at the travelers expense and will be included in the price of the air ticket.
GACA said air carriers were obliged to work with hotels approved by the Ministry of Tourism to accommodate the quarantined visitors.
