Saudi Arabia has suspended travel and visas to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.
Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens from traveling to three African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, and has stopped issuing all visas to travelers coming from these countries as part of new measures to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus.The restrictions, announced by the Saudi Public Health Authority (Weqaya), also apply to people arriving via third countries if they have been in any of the three affected countries within 21 days before entering the Kingdom, the Saudi Gazette reported.
The authority said that the measures were taken as a precaution to reduce the risk of the Ebola virus entering Saudi Arabia amid the ongoing outbreak of the disease in parts of Africa.Weqaya said that the health surveillance and response system in the Kingdom continues to work around the clock in coordination with national and international health authorities to monitor developments and protect public health.Saudi Arabia has already strengthened health precautions for travelers arriving from neighboring countries, including Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville). These measures include strengthening health screening at entry points, enhancing surveillance and early response measures.The authority said that the general health situation in Saudi Arabia remains stable, stressing that no suspected or confirmed case of Ebola virus infection has been recorded in the Kingdom since the start of preventive measures.Weqaya added that the restrictions are routine precautionary steps aimed at protecting citizens, residents and visitors while helping prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
