Saudi Arabia suspends travel to 9 countries over coronavirus fears

Saudi authorities have suspended travel by air and sea between the Kingdom and several Arab countries as well as South Korean and Italy amid growing fears over the spread of the coronavirus, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported early Monday.

The Arab countries Included in the list are the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Iraq, said the SPA, quoting official sources from the Ministry of Interior.

The travel suspension applies to both citizens and foreigners living in the Kingdom, the SPA said.

It is the latest of a series of measures undertaken by the Kingdom to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, the code name for the coronavirus that has originated in the city of Wuhan in China.

The Kingdom has suspended travel to and from China last month. 

Also late on Saturday, the Saudi General Entertainment Authority announced early on Monday the closure of Riyadh Boulevard and Winter Wonderland due to concerns about the new coronavirus, Al Ekhbariya TV reported.

Saudi Arabia on Sunday recorded four more cases of the fast-spreading respiratory disease, raising the total to 11 cases.

The Kingdom also said it was suspending all educational and Qur'anic activities at mosques starting from Monday to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.