Hyderabad: An Interior Ministry source has confirmed that Saudi Arabia has suspended all international flights for a week amid fears of a highly contagious new mutant strain of the novel coronavirus discovered in Britain. The ban, which will take effect on Sunday, also applies to passengers entering the country through land and sea ports.
The procedure will be reviewed in progress made on epidemics, and what has been received from the Ministry of Health.
Sources said foreign flights currently within Saudi territory would be exempted and allowed to depart.
Saudi Arabia’s decision comes after a number of European countries, including Italy, Belgium, France and the Netherlands, reported on the escalating tensions and banned flights to and from the UK. Spread over London and the southeast of England.
On December 19, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the newly identified strain of the virus could be 70% more transmissible.
The new form was “out of control,” according to Matt Hancock, secretary of the British Department of Health.
As of the week ending December 9, the new format accounted for 62% in London, 59% in East England, and 43% in the Southeast.
