Coronavirus: allowed to travel abroad, Saudis flock to Bahrain
Saudi passenger at Riyadh International Airport, May 17, 2021 (Image illustration).
AFP - FAYEZ NURELDINE
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The Saudis, for their part, have already been able to enjoy a taste of the easing of health restrictions in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia on Monday, May 17, lifted the ban for its citizens to travel abroad.
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From our correspondent in Dubai
,
Nicolas Keraudren
On Monday, May 17, the King Fahd Bridge that connects Saudi Arabia to Bahrain was in a jam.
Upon the announcement of the reopening of the borders, Saudi residents and citizens rushed along this 25-kilometer axis.
They hope to take advantage of nightclubs, shopping malls and hotels in the neighboring kingdom.
On the other side of the border post, Bahrainis welcomed these visitors to the rhythm of traditional songs and dances.
For Saudis, the easing of travel restrictions is a relief after more than a year of closure.
However, even if the authorities record less than 1,000 new daily Covid-19 infections on average over the past seven days, the conditions remain strict.
Only people who are immune to the virus can travel abroad.
In this country of about 34 million people, more than eleven million doses have been administered.
In addition, the kingdom is expected to reopen its borders to foreign tourists this year.
The date will be communicated "
very soon
" announced the Saudi authorities.
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