JEDDAH: Saudia airline will increase passenger numbers on incoming flights from the UAE in the next 24 hours as travelers scramble to return home ahead of flight restrictions.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior on Friday announced a travel ban to and from the UAE, Vietnam and Ethiopia due to a rise in COVID-19 cases and the spread of more severe variants, forcing many Saudis with travel plans to cancel their flights or return early.
Anyone entering the Kingdom after the ban comes into effect on Sunday, July 4, at 11 p.m. will need to quarantine. 聽
Among those affected by the decision is 25-year-old Deena Al-Dakheel, of Jeddah, who was hoping to reunite with her fiance, Mohammed, after his trip to Egypt.
鈥淗e was visiting family in Egypt, but since he鈥檚 only a resident here, he wasn鈥檛 allowed entry,鈥 said Al-Dakheel. 鈥淪o we tried to get him to come through the UAE, but then this decision came out. I鈥檓 very disappointed.鈥
She added: 鈥淗e has been living here his whole life, so he has work, commitments and other responsibilities. We need to find a way for him to get back, but every other route is inconvenient, difficult and expensive. I just hope we can figure something out soon.鈥
HIGHLIGHT
The Saudi Ministry of Interior on Friday announced a travel ban to and from the UAE, Vietnam and Ethiopia due to a rise in COVID-19 cases and the spread of more severe variants, forcing many Saudis with travel plans to cancel their flights or return early.
Renad Sheraif, 25, has been living in Dubai for almost three years and has not seen her grandmother, who lives in Jeddah, for more than nine months.
鈥淲e already booked the tickets and everything,鈥 Sheraif said. 鈥淪he was supposed to come this weekend and then I was supposed to accompany her back to Jeddah. But that obviously won鈥檛 happen now.鈥
Sheraif said that she is disappointed by the restrictions but understands their necessity. 鈥淚t鈥檚 sad that I won鈥檛 see my grandmother, but I also wouldn鈥檛 want her to risk getting infected here and we also have the new Delta variant. It鈥檚 safer for her to stay in Jeddah. So, the decision makes sense.鈥
Saudia has urged travelers to stay updated on their flight status, new announcements and other changes via the airline鈥檚 official channel.
Saudis were given permission to travel to certain countries outside the Kingdom from May 17, provided they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or recovered after catching the virus. Those who have received only the first dose of a vaccine are required to wait 14 days before traveling. Those who have recovered from infection must wait six months after testing negative before flying.
