Saudi Arabia’s New Travel Rule: 3‑Year Stash for the Out‑of‑Bounders
In a move that’s got locals saying “What’s the point of freedom?” the Saudi government is stepping up its game against COVID‑19. The State News Agency (SPA) declared that any Saudi citizen caught flouting new travel restrictions will face a three‑year ban from leaving the kingdom, along with hefty legal penalties.
Why the crackdown?
Back in May, the government finally let citizens roam abroad without first getting a nod from authorities—something that’s been on hold since March 2020. Unfortunately, some folks seemed to take it too literally, breaking the rules and putting the kingdom’s health measures at risk.
Who’s on the “Red List”?
Under this new rule, Saudi Arabia has blocked travel to or transit through a selection of countries. The full list (no comprehensive exhaustiveness, just the top hits) is:
- Afghanistan
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- India
- Indonesia
- Lebanon
- Pakistan
- South Africa
- Turkey
- Vietnam
- United Arab Emirates
Facing the Consequences
According to an unnamed interior ministry official, any citizen caught breaking the law will not only be held legally accountable but will also receive “heavy penalties” upon their return home. The verdict? A solid three‑year stay‑home order.
So, the next time you think about jetting off to Vietnam or the UAE, you might want to re‑check if it’s on Saudi’s red list—because this ban is as serious as a dentist’s appointment, and trust us, you don’t want to feel the tooth‑ache of a legal penalty!
<img alt="" data-caption="Travellers wearing protective face masks walk at Riyadh International Airport, after Saudi Arabia reopened domestic flights, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 31, 2020.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”ef9bffaa-c7fb-4f07-8da2-8461514ac5fd” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210728_sauditravel_reuters.jpg”/>
Saudi Arabia Keeps Travel Restrictions Tight as COVID‑19 Falls
In a move that’s keeping passports in the lap, the Ministry of Interior says citizens can’t head straight to or hop off through another country to any of the banned destinations. That includes places still wrestling the pandemic or where new variants have found a foothold.
Numbers at a Glance
- Today: 1,379 fresh infections confirmed in the Kingdom.
- Running total: 520,774 confirmed cases nationwide.
- Fatalities: 8,189 deaths so far.
– The Gulf giant, home to roughly 30 million people, is cruising past the nasty summer peak of over 4,000 daily cases in June 2020.
– Fast‑forward to January 2023, and daily counts dipped to fewer than 100—a striking rebound, but the country remains cautious.
Why the Ban Matters
Even as the numbers ease, the health ministry stresses that the index of risk in many traveling hubs hasn’t hit the sweet spot yet. So, before booking that jet‑set getaway, double‑check the latest travel advisories and keep an eye out for any updates.
