Saudi Arabia extends entry ban amid coronavirus variant fears: state news agency

CAIRO – (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry on Monday extended a ban on entry to the kingdom by air, land, and sea for another week amid concerns over a fast-spreading variant of the new coronavirus, the state news agency SPA reported.

Saudi Arabia shut its borders on Monday, Dec. 21, and suspended international commercial flights on a rolling weekly basis although foreign flights already in the country were allowed to leave.

The ministry said it is evaluating the situation while allowing non-citizens to leave the kingdom and allowing entry for exceptional cases, SPA reported.

The measures do not affect the movement of goods.