Saudi Arabia extends suspension of international flights for another week

iStock

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is continuing the suspension of international flights for an additional seven days over concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 variant.

According to a statement on the nation's official news agency, this will not apply to non-Saudi citizens leaving the country.

Entry via land and seaports has also been suspended for an extra week, with the possibility of an extension.

A source at the Saudi Ministry of Interior is quoted as saying that the restrictions are due to rising cases of the COVID-19 variant in a number of countries.

The situation will continue to be assessed to ensure the safety of citizens and expatriates.

It excludes the movement of goods, commodities and supply chains.

More from International

  • Grand jury indicts 18 in Arizona fake elector scheme

    A grand jury has charged 18 people with allegedly participating in an Arizona fake elector scheme to re-elect then-US President Donald Trump in 2020, the state's attorney general said on Wednesday.

  • India inspects spice makers over alleged contamination

    India is inspecting facilities of spice makers MDH and Everest for compliance with quality standards after sales of some of their products were halted in Hong Kong and Singapore for allegedly containing high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide.

  • Israeli media predict offensive in Gaza's Rafah soon

    Israel is poised to send troops into Rafah, the Gazan city it sees as the last bastion of Hamas, Israeli media reported on Wednesday, saying preparations were under way to evacuate war-displaced Palestinian civilians who have been sheltering there.

  • Russia detains ally of Defence Minister Shoigu for corruption

    A Russian court on Wednesday ordered one of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's deputies be kept in custody on suspicion of taking bribes, the highest-profile corruption case since President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in 2022.

  • Trump meets with Japan's former prime minister Aso

    Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, a senior figure in the country's ruling party, met with Donald Trump on Tuesday, becoming the latest US ally seeking to establish ties with the Republican presidential candidate.