Saudi arranging special flights to bring back its citizens stuck abroad

Saudi Arabia is arranging to fly back its citizens who are stuck abroad to ensure their health amid the coronavirus pandemic.

King Salman directed Saudi’s foreign ministry on Sunday to make the required arrangements, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The ministry has already launched an electronic service to register those interested, it confirmed on Twitter. The e-service will be available from Sunday for five days.

The ministry said priority will be given to those in countries hit the hardest by the coronavirus, pregnant women and older people.

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وزير الخارجية الأمير #فيصل_بن_فرحان @FaisalbinFarhan

"انطلاقاً من عناية القيادة بالمواطنين السعوديين في كل مكان دشنت #وزارة_الخارجية منصة إلكترونية لتسجيل طلبات الراغبين في العودة للمملكة"#عودة_آمنة pic.twitter.com/ZRp5eFoLSP

— وزارة الخارجية ?? (@KSAMOFA) April 5, 2020

All those returning from abroad will be subject to a 14-day quarantine once they are back in the kingdom, the ministry added.

Meanwhile the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) also confirmed that it was preparing airport terminals to receive returning Saudi citizens.

Abdulhadi Al-Mansouri, president of GACA said: “GACA has made full use of its efforts and capabilities to receive citizens wishing to return to the kingdom, as it has prepared the travel terminals at the kingdom’s international airports, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

“Furthermore, GACA is scheduling flights designated for the plan to return citizens who wish to return to the kingdom, in coordination with the national carrier, Saudi Arabian Airlines, as well as the continuous coordination with airports of other countries.”

Al-Mansouri added that GACA was taking precautionary and preventive measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 at departure and arrival points, airports and amid aircraft crews, SPA reported.

The kingdom reported 17 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday, taking the total number of cases to 2,402, including 488 who have recovered.