Riyadh:
There was excitement but no crowds early on Monday morning at Riyadh’s international airport as Saudi Arabia lifted a ban on citizens travelling out of the Gulf state devoid of prior permission from authorities.
Saudi nationals who have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot a minimum two weeks prior to travel, these who have recovered from the coronavirus illness inside the last six months, and these below 18 will be permitted to travel for the initially time because March 2020.
“It’s a great feeling, thank God, we are happy, especially after the difficult period we and the entire world have suffered,” mentioned Bandar Al Nawash, a passenger waiting in the departure lounge of King Khalid International Airport.
Fellow national Faisal Al Tamimi mentioned he had anticipated big crowds at the airport, but there had been only a handful of travellers early on Monday right after the suspension was lifted at 1 a.m. regional time.
“I think people are worried about the coronavirus variants such as the one in India, and new developments in some countries,” Al Tamimi mentioned.
There are 13 nations Saudi nationals are nonetheless banned from going to devoid of prior permission, no matter if by means of direct or indirect flights due to COVID-19 dangers.
Saudi Arabia, with a population of some 30 million, reported 825 new coronavirus infections on Sunday, taking total caseload to 433,094, such as 7,162 deaths.
Authorities mentioned on Sunday more than 11.5 million vaccines had been administered in the Gulf Arab state so far.
“Thank God … today we can travel whether for tourism or for business. God willing this pandemic will be over and everyone will be able to travel,” mentioned Jaber Al Mahadi, a different traveller at the airport on Monday morning.
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