Saudi Arabia suspends travel from 20 countries, including US

Diplomats, health care workers and their families are exempt from the travel ban.
GettyImages-1230712575.jpg
People register before receiving a dose of vaccine against COVID-19 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Jan. 21, 2021. Saudi Arabia launched its coronavirus vaccination campaign on Dec. 17 after receiving the first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The Health Ministry said the program would roll out in three phases, starting with people over 65 and those with chronic ailments or at high risk of infection. - FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

Saudi Arabia has banned travel from 20 countries in a bid to curb the coronavirus and prevent fast-spreading variants from reaching the kingdom, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) announced on Tuesday.

Diplomats, health care workers and their families are exempt from the travel order, which begins at 9 p.m. on Wednesday and includes travelers from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom.

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