Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh (MS)

Riyadh, Mar 12: In order to curb the epidemic of coronavirus in the country, the number of cases of which have reached an alarming 45, the regime of Saudi Arabia placed a ban on all to and from travel of European Union (EU) from Thursday, March 12. In addition, the oil rich nation has placed a travel ban on 12 countries of Asia and Africa also.

Out of the 45 cases reported in the country, 21 are Egyptians, who got the disease from a person who had tested positive for coronavirus and had returned from Egypt recently. Only one out of the 45 cases reported has recovered and rest all are being treated in isolated wards in hospitals of the kingdom.

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The latest list of countries that are banned to and from travel includes India also. Apart from India, the other Asian and African countries that are banned include Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya Djibouti, Somalia and Etritrea.

The only category who are kept out of the band are the health workers from India and Philippines, who work in Saudi Arabia and evacuation, shipping and trade trips, with necessary precautions.

Only citizens of Saudi and those holding valid residency visas are allowed to enter the kingdom within 72 hours after which the travel ban becomes effective.

The ministry of Saudi Arabia has also asked the people, who have recently taken a trip to any of the countries where the coronavirus is affected, to report themselves to the contact service center or call the toll free number 937.