Saudi Arabia: International flights suspended in Saudi Arabia over the new COVID-19 variant

All international passenger flights have been suspended by Saudi Arabia for one week, citing concerns about the spread of the new COVID-19 strain, an official said on Monday. 

The official news agency, SPA, quoted an official from the Interior Ministry as saying that entry into the kingdom through land and seaports will also be suspended for one week. 

The measures were taken as a precaution, according to the report, "until medical information on the nature of this virus becomes clear and protects the public health of citizens and expatriates and ensures their safety." 

Foreign flights that are currently within the airspace of the kingdom will be permitted to leave, the official said. 

Those who returned from one of the European countries or any country where the new strain appeared to be self-isolated for two weeks were ordered by the government to be tested for COVID-19.