KSA abolishes PCR test requirement for incoming passengers
A social distancing sign is seen on the floor as a Saudi man man wearing a face mask walks with his luggage at the King Khalid International Airport, after Saudi authorities lifted the travel ban on its citizens after fourteen months due to coronavirus disease (Covid-19) restrictions, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 16, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS
The General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia (GACA) issued a statement on Sunday, lifting Covid restrictions and abolishing the requirement of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for passengers arriving to the country.
According to the new travel policy, airlines from 17 countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Nigeria and Angola will now be permitted to operate flights to Saudi Arabia.
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Moreover, institutional and in-house quarantine restrictions on travellers arriving to Saudi Arabia have also been lifted, however, travellers must have insurance cover for Covid-19 treatment along with their visitor visas.
The new policy further states that airlines will be required to reimburse passengers for institutional quarantine and legal action will be taken against airlines found in violation of the new policy.