RIYADH — Saudi citizens as well as the expatriates in the Kingdom are barred from traveling to Iran with an aim to safeguard public health, Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday quoting a statement from the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat).

The travel curbs on expatriates is a new measure, however, the ban on Saudi citizens from Iran travel continues.

“The decision banning Saudi citizens from traveling to Iran is still in place,” SPA report said quoting the Spokesman of the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat).

Meanwhile, non-Saudi travelers, who have been to Iran, will be prevented from entering the Kingdom, unless the maximum incubation period of 14 days for the coronavirus elapses, since the passengers’ departure from Iran.

The move is part of the precautionary health measures adopted by Saudi Arabia to prevent the novel coronavirus from entering the Kingdom.

The report further said quoting Jawazat spokesman that the regulatory provisions of the travel documents regulation and bylaws will be applied on all citizens who violate the travel ban to Iran. Furthermore, the citizens will be quarantined for 14 days.

In the event of violation of the travel ban by an expat, he or she will not be allowed to return to the Kingdom.

All passengers arriving in the Kingdom have been asked to disclose to the Passport officer if they have been to Iran during the two weeks prior to their arrival in the Kingdom. – SPA