Saudi Arabia and Oman halted international flights and closed their borders for a week over fears of the rapid expansion of the new strain of the coronavirus.
The Saudi state news agency said the kingdom may extend the suspension one more week depending on the nature of the virus’s spread. Oman stopped passenger traffic through its air, land and sea ports for a week from Tuesday, but freight services are exempt from the ban.
The UK has warned that the new strain of the virus is “out of control”, which has led countries such as France and Germany to suspend travel from Britain. Air Arabia PJSC, based in the United Arab Emirates, said Monday it will stop flights from Morocco to the UK until further notice.
Saudi Arabia, which has reported nearly 361,000 cases and 6,122 deaths, began lifting coronavirus blockages as of May. Officials had not imposed any new restrictions since then and so far the country has averted another wave of infections.
– With the assistance of Abbas Al Lawati
(Add details on Oman’s suspension in lead and second paragraph)