Countries around the world have started banning flights and travelers from Britain, as London said the spread of a new, more infectious coronavirus strain was “out of control”.
“Suspend all international flights for travelers (except in exceptional cases) temporarily for one week, which may be extended for another week. Foreign flights currently in the Kingdom’s territory may depart,” the GACA notice said.
“The circular will take effect from 00:00 (midnight) on Monday, December 21, 2020,” he added.
The notification further mentioned that the suspension excludes cargo flights and that the situation will be “reviewed in light of developments related to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
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The official Saudi press agency (SPA) said that passengers who arrived in Saudi Arabia from Europe, or any country where the new strain was detected, from December 8 will have to isolate themselves for two weeks and undergo tests.
Last week, Saudi Arabia launched a three-phase Covid-19 vaccination program, after the first shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine reached the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has so far recorded more than 361,000 new coronavirus cases, including more than 6,000 deaths, the highest among the Persian Gulf states. But the Kingdom has also reported a high recovery rate.
The decision to ban international flights came after several European nations, including Italy, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, banned UK flights following the report of the mutant strain.
On December 19, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the newly identified virus strain could be up to 70% more transmittable.
According to British Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the new variant was “out of control”.
In the week ending Dec. 9, the new variant accounted for 62 percent in London, 59 percent in the east of England and 43 percent in the south-east.
(With inputs from agencies)
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