Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Fahd Al-Ajmi, official of the Ministry of Tourism, said that the ministry has suspended tourist visas for 22 countries where an outbreak of Coronavirus has been reported at present.

This was within the framework of the precautionary measures taken by the Kingdom, he said in a press conference on Sunday.

Al-Ajmi stated that tourist visas are still available to the rest of the countries, provided that they fulfill the requirement announced by the Kingdom that the tourists had not visited any of the countries where the outbreak occurred 14 days before their arrival in the Kingdom.

The ministry official said the decision to suspend tourist visas from these countries would continue until the disappearance of the reasons for which the restrictions were implemented. He stated that the procedures for the issuance of tourist visas on arrival or through contacting the Saudi diplomatic missions have been halted.

Al-Ajmi said that Saudi Arabia has so far issued around 400,000 tourist visas since the launch of the tourist visa regime on Sept. 27.

“The ministry is coordinating with the Ministry of Health to set up procedures and preventive measures to stem the spread of Coronavirus, and ensure the safety of citizens, expatriates and tourists,” he added.