GACA Announces New Procedures for Entry of Travellers into Saudi Arabia

 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) distributed a circular today to airlines operating in all Saudi airports, announcing new procedures for entry of all non-Saudi citizens and exempted travellers into Saudi Arabia, in reference to the Ministry of Interior statement regarding institutional quarantine procedures for all arrivals to Saudi Arabia from countries for whose travellers are not suspended.

The circular stipulates the application of the institutional quarantine on non-Saudi citizens and the unvaccinated exempted travellers, coming from exempted countries. The cost of travel of such travellers will be incurred at their own expenses and included in their ticket prices with a valid health insurance policy to cover the risks that may result from infection with the Coronavirus (COVID 19).

GACA strictly instructed air carriers to carry all non-Saudi citizens and the exempted travellers, as well as immunized and non-immunized groups who hold verified health certificates issued before no more than 72 hours from the flight time for those aged over than 8 years or above. Non-Saudi immunized persons and exempted groups who received full doses of one of the vaccines approved by the Ministry of Health are allowed to enter Saudi Arabia without the need for a quarantine period, provided that they present an official vaccination certificate before and upon arrival.

GACA obligated air carriers to conclude contracts with shelter and accommodation centers authorized by the Ministry of Tourism to accommodate the above-mentioned categories who meet the conditions of institutional quarantine for a period of seven days, provided that a medical test is done for each of them on the sixth day to show a negative result.

GACA announced that the procedure will go into force starting Thursday, May 20, 2021.

GACA applies all precautionary and preventive measures at Saudi's airports with the aim of providing an integrated health environment for all arrivals. The measures taken by GACA also include obliging the concerned authorities and the air transport companies operating in Saudi's airports to comply with all health safety requirements and precautionary and preventive measures. GACA has made the following toll free number available for enquiries around the clock: (8001168888), in addition to social media sites to receive travellers' inquiries (@GacaCare), e-mail (CustomerCare@gaca.gov.sa), or the Authority's website: (gaca.gov.sa).