Saudi Arabia has suspended all international flights for one week in light of mounting concern over a new strain of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in several countries.

The measure is extendable for another week, or until medical information about the nature of the new virus becomes clear.

Exceptions from the ban include international flights that were in the country as of 20 December.

The ban also applies to entry of passengers to the kingdom through land and sea ports, Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry said.

The new measures include a two-week home isolation for anyone “who has returned from one of the European countries or any country where the new strain has appeared after 8 December”.

The same individuals are required to take a Covid-1 9 test and retake the test every five days.

Anyone who has returned from or passed through a European country, or any country where the new strain has appeared, during the past three months, is also required to take a Covid-19 test.

The statement added that the movement of goods, commodities and supply chains from countries where the new strain of the virus has not appeared are excluded from these new measures.

As of 20 December, Saudi Arabia has confirmed 360,848 cases of Covid-19, with 351,722 recoveries and 6,112 deaths.

The number of Covid-19 cases in the Middle East and North Africa region has crossed 4,084,481, according to Worldometers data collated by MEED.

Saudi Arabia's Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah received a Covid-19 vaccination on 17 December in Riyadh. The kingdom is accepting registrations from individuals who would like to be inoculated.

Covid-19 regional tracker (21 Dec)

Vaccination drives have begun across the Middle East and North Africa region as the total number of coronavirus cases crosses the 4 million mark