Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Saudi Arabia lifted coronavirus travel restrictions on Monday on its citizens travelling to Turkey, India, Ethiopia and Vietnam, state news agency SPA reported.

"A decision has been made to lift the suspension of direct or indirect travel by citizens to Ethiopia, Turkey, Vietnam and India," the official Saudi Press Agency quoted an interior ministry official as saying on Monday.

It was made "based on the follow-up to the epidemiological situation of the coronavirus pandemic," the official said.

Earlier this month, the kingdom lifted measures imposed to prevent the spread of the virus, including a requirement to wears face masks indoors.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Saudi Arabia imposed a rule against all foreign travel, and as of last month 16 countries including Turkey were still off-limits to Saudi citizens.

The move comes two days before Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is expected to visit Turkey.

Turkey is a favourite holiday destination for many Saudi families.

Prince Mohammed is expected to arrive in Turkey on Wednesday after stops in Egypt and Jordan.

Agencies