Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Dr. Muhammad Al-Abdel Ali, spokesman of the Ministry of Health, said that taking the coronavirus vaccine is not a condition for permission to travel abroad.

Replying to a question from Al-Ekhbariya channel, he emphasized that so far there is no move to link taking of the vaccine and allowing travel abroad. “Studies are continuing on this issue but so far the ministry has not sought such requirements.”

Regarding the new health measures to stem the spread of coronavirus with the decision to lift travel restrictions on March 31 (Shaban 18), the spokesman clarified that all procedures that need to be followed during travel, including precautionary measures and preventive protocols, will be made applicable to all.

Al-Abdel Ali also spoke about the tremendous response for taking vaccination, attributing this to the positive and significant impact of taking the dose of vaccine by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.

“The Ministry of Health’s plans are based on expansion to accommodate the increasing numbers of those who wish to take vaccine,” he said while pointing out in this context that the number of those registered in the Sehhaty application has exceeded one million people.

The spokesman revealed that vaccination centers would soon open in the regions of Makkah and Madinah while the centers in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions will be opened during the coming days and weeks.