RIYADH — Four special Saudi Arabian Airlines flights, carrying stranded Saudi nationals in four countries, arrived in Riyadh and Dammam on Thursday, respectively. The citizens were repatriated from Jordan, Japan, Germany and UAE.

The first flights scheduled for repatriating citizens from Amman, Tokyo, and Frankfurt arrived at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, while the first flight, also scheduled for repatriating citizens from Abu Dhabi, landed at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

All precautionary and preventive measures to combat coronavirus epidemic have been already conducted on all the passengers. All these arriving citizens will be tested for coronavirus and quarantined for 14 days in guesthouses set up by the Ministry of Tourism, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

Their repatriation comes after Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman issued an order to the foreign minister to work on procedures that would allow willing Saudi citizens to return to the Kingdom.

The flights were scheduled in line with the implementation of the directives by King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman and their keenness to help Saudi citizens abroad in light of the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic, while caring for their health and safety.

Upon arrival at the two airports via Saudia, the returnees were received by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Health.

The citizens expressed their happiness over return to the Kingdom, extending their thanks and appreciations to the leadership for the care and attention they received during their stay abroad until their arrival in Saudi Arabia. —SG/SPA