Saudi Arabia is suspending entry to the kingdom from 20 countries starting today, with Indonesia included on the list.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that the temporary suspension will take effect tonight until further notice. The policy was announced following four new deaths and 310 new cases yesterday, which brings Saudi Arabia’s COVID-19 tally to 368,369 cases. The suspension is applicable for non-citizens, diplomats, health practitioners and their families coming from any of the countries included on the list.
In response to the new travel ban, the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh said they will be working to repatriate the umrah pilgrims.
“We are focused on the umrah pilgrims who are already in Saudi, including preparing their return,” Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Agus Maftuh Abegebriel said today.
The embassy is coordinating with Saudi’s airport authority, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), for the repatriation of Indonesian pilgrims.
Other than Indonesia, the other 19 countries in the list include Argentina, US, Germany, UK, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa, Sweden, and Japan.
Saudi Arabia previously closed their borders in December, and reopened in early January.
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