RIYADH: There was excitement but no crowds early on Monday morning at Riyadh’s international airport as Saudi Arabia lifted a ban on citizens traveling out of the Gulf state without prior permission from authorities.
Saudi nationals who have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot a minimum two weeks prior to travel, those who have recovered from the coronavirus disease within the last six months, and those under 18, will be allowed to travel for the first time since March 2020.
“It’s a great feeling, thank God, we are happy, especially after the difficult period we and the entire world have suffered,” said Bandar Al Nawash, a passenger waiting in the departure lounge of King Khalid International Airport.
Fellow national Faisal Al Tamimi said he had expected large crowds at the airport, but there were only a few travelers early on Monday after the suspension was lifted at 1 a.m. local time. read more
“I think people are worried about the coronavirus variants such as the one in India, and new developments in some countries,” Al Tamimi said.
There are 13 countries Saudi nationals are still banned from visiting without prior permission, whether through direct or indirect flights due to COVID-19 risks. read more
Saudi Arabia, with a population of some 30 million, reported 825 new coronavirus infections on Sunday, taking total caseload to 433,094, including 7,162 deaths.
Authorities said 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,” said Jaber Al Mahadi, another traveler at the airport on Monday morning.
It’s a great feeling’: Saudis free to travel abroad after more than a year
https://arab.news/gr623
It’s a great feeling’: Saudis free to travel abroad after more than a year
- Saudi nationals who have received at least one COVID-19 shot a minimum two weeks prior to travel can travel from March 2020
- Those who have recovered from the coronavirus within the last six months and those under 18 will also be allowed to travel
Saudi Arabia announces new financial support to the Yemeni government
RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Yemen and Supervisor of the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber announced that the Kingdom, under the directives of its leadership, has provided new support to the Yemeni government's budget, aimed at paying the salaries of state employees in all sectors.
In a post on X, Al-Jaber stated that this support complements a package of development projects and initiatives, amounting to SR1.9 billion, announced on Wednesday. The package includes provision of necessary petroleum derivatives to operate power plants, which will contribute to improving the living standards of people in Yemen and alleviating daily burdens on them.
Al-Jaber’s post emphasized, in particular, that all salaries of military and security forces linked to the the higher military committee linked to the Saudi led Coalition will be paid as of Sunday.
The post is likely relate to Several Media reports which have suggested that disgraced former Southern Transitional Council (STC) chief Aidaroos Al Zubaidi — who has now fled Yemen — was taking advantage of military personnel and withholding salaries as means of pressure. Al-Zubaidi is wanted by the Yemeni government for acts of high treason and corruption.
The ambassador emphasized that these steps come within the framework of supporting the Yemeni government's efforts to implement the economic reform program, which aims to achieve financial and economic stability and enhance the state's ability to meet its basic obligations.
