Following the newly emerged variant of the coronavirus, Saudi Arabia announced the conditions for entry into the country.
In the latest statement, it was stated that those who came for Umrah from 18 different countries were banned from entering the country, even if they had their vaccinations. It was noted that there is concern about the new mutation an because of that they suspended arrivals from countries such as Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Comoros, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Ethiopia, and Esvatini. Anyone who has spent any of the past 14 days in affected countries will be barred from entry. Saudi citizens who have visited the region must quarantine for five days on arrival.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia also updated the restrictions for those who want to visit the Kaaba.
In the statement, those who have the vaccines recognized will not enter quarantine, while those who have vaccines not approved by Saudi Arabia but recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) will remain in quarantine for 3 days. Those who have completed their quarantine will be asked for a negative PCR test.
Saudi Arabia announced that it accepted 2 doses of Pfizer BioNTech, Comirnaty, Oxford AstraZeneca, Covishield, SK Bioscience, Vaxzevria, Moderna, Spikevax, and 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson angles.
