Earlier on December 20, Saudi Arabia halted international flights and suspended entry through its land and sea ports for at least a week, after a new fast-spreading strain of coronavirus appeared in Britain, reports AFP. Also Read - Saudi halts international flights over virus variantThe kingdom is "temporarily suspending all international flights -- except in exceptional cases -- for a period of one week, which can be extended by another week," the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. "Entry to the kingdom through land and sea ports will also be suspended for a week, which can be extended by another week," SPA added, citing the interior ministry. SPA said passengers who arrived in Saudi Arabia from Europe -- or any country where the new strain was detected -- starting December 8 will be required to self-isolate for two weeks, and undergo testing. Saudi Arabia has already kicked off a three-phase Covid-19 vaccination program, after the first shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine arrived in the kingdom.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 27, 2020 23:15 UTC