Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on Friday issued new travel restrictions as all passengers, including Pakistani and Saudi nationals, are required to have a negative report of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), including vaccination certification, to arrive in Saudi Arabia.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the General Authority of Civil Airlines (GACA) has made it mandatory for the passengers to get the Covid-19 testing within 48 hours from the time of departure to Saudi Arabia.

As per GACA notification, children below the age of eight are exempted from the Covid-19 restrictions.

GACA has also made it compulsory for Saudi travellers to receive the booster dose, before leaving the country after three months of the initial vaccination doses.

Citizens under the age of 16 and those exempted in mobile app ‘Tawakkalna’ will be allowed to travel without getting the booster jab, GACA said.

GACA said the passengers infected with the virus who have received both doses of the approved vaccine will arrive in Saudi Arabia without a test seven days after the test date.

As per GACA direction, the Saudi nationals who have not received both doses of the vaccine will be allowed to enter without a test ten days after the test date.

For violating the new Covid-19 restrictions, strict action would be taken against travellers and airlines, GACA said.

It is pertinent to mention that the new travel restrictions will be enforced from Wednesday (February 9).

Reporter: Usman Javed