Saudi Arabia lifts Covid-19 restrictions and flight suspensions

Social-distancing measures removed at the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, but worshippers will still need to wear masks

Physical distancing stickers are removed from the Grand Mosque after Saudi Arabia lifted the requirement to wear masks and observe social distancing in open spaces. All photos: SPA

The move came after the number of Covid-19 cases in the kingdom continued to decrease, Saudi Arabia’s official press agency (SPA) said.

Pilgrims are warned they must still wear masks and use the Tawakkalna mobile app to confirm their immunity status when entering the kingdom’s two Holy Mosques.

The lifting of restrictions is the latest in a series of moves by Saudi Arabia after it reopened its borders to travellers in May.

There is now widespread hope that primary schoolchildren will soon be allowed to attend classrooms across the country.

Dawn prayer at the Grand Mosque after the cancelling of physical distance.

More than 20.6 million of the country's 34.8 million population have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Saudi Arabia recorded two deaths and 45 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday.

There was positive reaction to the latest lifting of restrictions. ‘This is great news,’ said Naushad Mohammed, a British citizen who lives in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Mohammed praised the kingdom’s response to the virus. ‘Saudi Arabia has done an impressive and tremendous job in taking care of its people, be it residents or citizens during the pandemic. We were all given free medical care and vaccines and are really lucky to have been here during the pandemic.’

'I am glad we are turning a new chapter and hope the world can go back to normal," Mr Mohammed said.

Saudi Arabia on Saturday announced that it was lifting all precautionary and preventive measures related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the state news agency reported.

The decision was based on "the follow-up to the epidemiological situation of coronavirus, the competent health authorities’ feedback, and the progress that has been achieved in combating the pandemic", the Saudi Press Agency said.

SPA also cited the progress made in the national vaccination programme and the high rates of immunisation and immunity against the virus in the community.

Accordingly, PCR tests and rapid antigen tests no longer need to be provided by passengers arriving in the kingdom, the interior ministry said. Also, quarantine on arrival is no longer a requirement for those travelling to the kingdom.

But all passengers arriving in the country on visit visas are requested to have medical insurance to cover the costs of treatment from infection with coronavirus during the period of their stay,

Social distancing measures in all open and closed places, activities, and events were also suspended, and wearing masks is no longer a requirement in open areas.

Worshippers will no longer need to maintain social distancing in mosques – including the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah – starting with the dawn prayer on Sunday. However, people must continue to wear masks inside the mosques.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that people no longer have to book prayer slots online for the two holy mosques.

But pilgrims who want to perform Umrah or pray in the Rawdah – which is considered the heart of the Prophet’s Mosque, close to his tomb – still need to book through the Eatmarna or Tawakkalna apps.

Saudi Arabia has been reporting fewer than 500 daily Covid-19 cases in the past three days and the majority of the population has been vaccinated.

The kingdom lifted the suspension of direct flights to and from 17 countries – South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, eSwatini, Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, Comoros, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Afghanistan.

Authorities reminded the public to take the third booster dose and said that the Tawakkalna application is still needed to enter offices, some public and private buildings, airports and public transport vehicles.

Saudi Arabia's Health Ministry said "the wise leadership has spared no effort or support to protect the citizens and residents of the kingdom" and said that 99 per cent of people over the age of 12 have been vaccinated.