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Saudi Arabia to require vaccination proof for foreign tourists

Saudi Arabia has imposed some particularly strict travel measures recently amid regional concerns about coronavirus variants.

Saudi proof of vaccination required
Saudi staff check mobile phones for vaccine certificates or a negative COVID-19 test at the entrance of a theater hosting the first concert in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic on June 3, 2021. Foreign tourists with COVID-19 vaccines and a negative coronavirus test will be able to visit Saudi Arabia beginning Aug. 1, 2021. — FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia will welcome foreign tourists back next month, though they will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Foreign tourists can return to the Gulf state starting Sunday, but they will need to present proof of vaccination against the coronavirus as well as a negative PCR test. They will not need to quarantine upon arrival, the official Saudi Press Agency reported Friday. 

Saudi authorities have imposed some particularly strict anti-virus travel measures recently. Earlier this month, the government said Saudi citizens will need to be fully vaccinated in order to leave the country. This week, Riyadh also banned Saudis from traveling to several countries due to virus concerns, including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey and Lebanon. The UAE and Egypt are notably close allies of Saudi Arabia. 

The moves come as several Middle Eastern states reimpose restrictions due to the spread of coronavirus variants. 

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