NEW COVID-19 VARIANT, OMICRON: SAUDI ARABIA BANS FLIGHTS FROM NIGERIA

"The Circular which is titled ‘’Suspension of flights from and to the Federal Republic of Nigeria," is directed to all airlines operating in the airports of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

"The circular instructed the suspension of all incoming flights and entry to the Kingdom for non-nationals coming directly or indirectly from Nigeria, except for those who have spent a period of no less than 14 days in another country from which they are allowed to come.

Barely few weeks after Canada and the United Kingdom extended bans to travellers from Nigeria, due to the new Coronavirus variant, Omicron.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia, confirmed the development in a circular issued on Wednesday, signed by Assistant President for Economic Policy and Air Transport, Dr. Faisal Al Sugair.

The Circular which is titled ‘’Suspension of flights from and to the Federal Republic of Nigeria," is directed to all airlines operating in the airports of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The circular instructed the suspension of all incoming flights and entry to the Kingdom for non-nationals coming directly or indirectly from Nigeria, except for those who have spent a period of no less than 14 days in another country from which they are allowed to come.

The circular said Home quarantine will be applied for a period of 5 days to Saudi Arabia citizens coming from Nigeria, provided PCR examination on the first day and the fifth day regardless of immunization status.

It added that failure to comply with the circulars issued by GACA is an explicit violation of Government orders, noting that legal procedures shall be initiated against violators who will be held responsible.