Saudi Arabia has lifted travel restrictions on 11 key countries and removed from the red list, originally imposed to curb the spread of a variant strain of coronavirus.

From Sunday 30 May, passengers from the UAE, Germany, the US, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, the UK, Sweden, Switzerland, France, and Japan may enter the Kingdom with the implementation of quarantine regulations.

The source said the decision was taken based on the Public Health Authority's report regarding the epidemiological situation in a number of declared countries, which showed stability and effectiveness in controlling the pandemic in some of these countries.

Saudi Arabian authorities will not require non-Saudi nationals to undergo one week of quarantine if they have received two full doses of a government-approved COVID-19 vaccination or have recovered from COVID-19 within the previous six months. Any foreign national who has not received a government-approved vaccination or recovered from COVID-19 must quarantine in government-approved accommodation for seven days. Those under quarantine will have to undergo a PCR test on their seventh day of isolation.

Since May 17, international travel is permitted for Saudi nationals who meet any of the following criteria:

• Have received two full doses of a government-approved COVID-19 vaccination or received one dose with at least 14 days having elapsed since the shot was administered
• Have recovered from COVID-19 within the previous six months
• Are under the age of 18 (travelers under the age of 18 must undergo a one-week quarantine period)