Passengers queue for a temperature check at terminal 5 at King Fahad International Airport in Riyadh. File/ AFP

Gulf Today Report

Saudi Arabia has announced the suspension of all international flights for travellers for a week for the second time due to a rapidly spreading strain of coronavirus.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior said the Ministry of Health said that a new strain of coronavirus is being reported in a number of countries.

The ministry said until medical information about the nature of this virus becomes clear all international flights, ports and land routes would remain closed for a week to protect the health of citizens and residents.

The Kingdom said it is suspending all international flights for travellers; except for exceptional cases and it extend for another week if necessary.

A Saudi health worker takes the temperature of a child in Riyadh. AFP

The ministry said that it has suspended entry to the Kingdom through land and seaports from immediate effect for a week.

The ministry said everyone who returned from European countries or from any country where the epidemic appeared, must adhere to the following:

- Home isolation for a period of two weeks after arriving in the Kingdom.
- To perform an examination for the Covid-19 during the isolation period, with repeated examination after every five days.

Saudia Airlines are parked at the tarmac.

- Anyone who has returned from or passed through a European country, or any country where the pandemic reported during the past three months must conduct an examination for the coronavirus.

The Health Ministry said that an exception is made for the movement of goods, commodities and supply chains from countries where the virus did not appear.

The ministry said that these procedures would be reviewed in light of the developments related to the pandemic.