After nearly three years, Saudi Arabia ends most COVID-19 restrictions

Riyadh: After nearly three years of COVID-19 restrictions, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ended precautionary and preventive measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, starting from Saturday, March 5, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
According to an official source at the Ministry of Interior, the Kingdom also ended social distancing at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, but worshipers still have to wear masks. It is not mandatory to wear masks at open places, however one is required to wear masks indoors.
#عاجل مصدر مسؤول في وزارة الداخلية: تقرر رفع الإجراءات الاحترازية والوقائية المتعلقة بمكافحة جائحة كورونا اعتبارا من اليوم. https://t.co/z0mEfTIeGg #واس_عام pic.twitter.com/ovygWL8gsy — واس العام (@SPAregions) March 5, 2022 The Kingdom will no longer require travellers to undergo mandatory COVID-19 quarantine upon arrival to the kingdom. Passengers will also no longer need to provide a PCR test upon their arrival.
All arrivals to the Kingdom on visit visas of all kinds are required to get an insurance that covers the costs of treatment from COVID-19 infection during the period of stay in Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom lifted the suspension of direct flights and arrival to the Kingdom from the following countries—South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, United Republic of Comoros, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Afghanistan.
The ministry of interior stressed the importance of continuing to complete the implementation of the national plan for vaccination, which includes taking the booster dose, and applying procedures to verify health status in the “Tawakkalna” application to enter facilities, activities, events, planes and public transportation.