Saudi Arabia reopens borders, vaccination is fast becoming the rule

Administration of a dose of AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19 at the first "vaccidrive" in the Saudi capital Riyadh, March 4, 2021. AFP - FAYEZ NURELDINE

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After 17 months of closure against the backdrop of a pandemic, Saudi Arabia is reopening its borders this Sunday to international tourists.

However, they must be fully vaccinated if they wish to avoid a period of quarantine during their trip.

Vaccination is also on the way to becoming the rule in this country.

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With our correspondent in Dubai,

Nicolas Keraudren

In Saudi Arabia, vaccination against Covid-19 becomes almost mandatory as of this Sunday.

To access government and private establishments in the kingdom, residents and citizens are now required to provide proof of a complete vaccination schedule.

Schools, shopping centers, or even public transport are among the places affected by these restrictions.  

In addition to these measures, the kingdom's authorities have announced a new travel restriction.

From next week, only people immune to the virus will indeed be able to travel abroad - with the exception of countries on a red list. 

The Saudi authorities hope to speed up the pace of the vaccination campaign in this country of about 35 million inhabitants.

When the measures were announced last May, the number of daily injections jumped.  

In total, over 26 million doses have been administered.

More than half of the Saudi population would have received their first dose, while one in five inhabitants would be fully immunized. 

To listen and read also: Religious tourism devastated by the Covid-19

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  • Saudi Arabia

  • Coronavirus

  • Vaccines