The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced the lift of suspension of direct flights from 17 countries including Nigeria.
Other affected countries are South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, United Republic of Comoros, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan.
Also, the Saudi Government scrapped major COVID-19 restrictions except wearing of masks in the two holy Mosques in Makka and Medina as well as other places of worship in the kingdom.
The directive, issued by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior, and confirmed by the Saudi embassy in Nigeria, became effective from March 5, 2022.
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According to the new policy, citizens visiting the Kingdom will no longer be required to undergo mandatory COVID-19 quarantine or present PCR test results upon arrival in the holy land.
However, the new directive compels all new travelers to Saudi Arabia to secure insurance that covers the costs of treatment from coronavirus infection.
Also, the Kingdom expressed commitment to complete the implementation of its national plan on immunization, which would enable, among other principles, administration of booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine and applying procedures to verify the health status of pilgrims at the point of entrying any facilities, including events centres, airports, and public transportation.
The ministry declared that the new measures will be subjected to continuous evaluation by the health authorities and in line with the country’s epidemiological situation.
