Saudi Arabia issues travel ban against Kenya over corona virus fears

Tony Mukere

March 12, 2020 11:26 AM

Saudi Arabia not taking any chances

Saudi Arabia issues travel ban against Kenya over corona virus fears

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued a travel ban against Kenya and 38 other countries as as part of its efforts to contain the spread of the Corona Virus.

“The Kingdom’s government decided to temporarily suspend the travel of citizens and residents, and to suspend flights to the European Union countries, Switzerland, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Sudan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Eritrea, Kenya, Djibouti, and Somalia," the state media SPA reported.

While most of the countries, including Kenya have not had cases of confirmed cases, the Saudi government was taking no chances fearing that the health of citizens would threatened in the event that the listed countries recorded new cases.

There is a significant Kenyan population in Saudi Arabia - where both skilled and unskilled workers immigrate to in search of greener pastures.

The ban prevents Saudis from traveling to the affected countries and also blocks foreigners from the said countries from traveling to the Kingdom.

Commercial flights to and from the listed countries were also banned.

Saudi citizens in the affected countries were given 72 hours to return to Saudi Arabia which has had 45 confirmed cases of the deadly virus.

Other preventive measures include locking down the oil-producing region of Qatif, where many of its cases are centered, suspending the Umrah pilgrimage, closing schools and cinemas nationwide, cancelling conferences and sporting events, and postponing a G20 ministerial meeting scheduled for next week.

Tony Mukere