Saudi Arabia on Monday extended the suspension of all international commercial flights and entry into the Kingdom through land and seaports for another week in view of the new coronavirus strain which was discovered in the United Kingdom, state media reported.
“An official source in the Ministry of Interior said: Extending the suspension of international flights and entering the Kingdom through land and seaports for another week,” Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation stated in a tweet.
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On Sunday, the government had lifted a ban on non-Saudis to leave the kingdom after all international commercial flights were halted last week. The country's land and sea ports were also closed for a week. The government had ordered anyone who has returned from or passed through a European country over the past three months to get tested for COVID-19 immediately.
The ministry added that the travel suspension will not affect the country's cargo flights and supply chains.
Countries around the world have banned flights and travellers from Britain as London said the spread of a more-infectious new coronavirus strain was "out of control".