Saudi Arabia to reopen to fully vaccinated tourists after 17-month Covid closure
Saudi Arabia announced Friday it would reopen its borders to fully vaccinated foreign tourists after a 17-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, AFP reported, citing the state news agency.
However, Riyadh did not announce any lifting of restrictions on the umrah, a pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time, which usually attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe each year.
"The Ministry of Tourism announced that the Kingdom will open its doors to foreign tourists, and lift... the suspension of entry for tourist visa holders, starting from August 1," the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It said travellers fully vaccinated with Saudi-approved jabs -- Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson -- will be able to enter the kingdom "without the need for an institutional quarantine period", provided they also have proof of a negative PCR Covid-19 test taken within the last 72 hours and register their details with health authorities.
The government has accelerated a nationwide vaccination drive as it moves to revive tourism and host sports and entertainment extravaganzas, all pandemic-hit sectors.
Saudi Arabia has registered more than 523,000 coronavirus cases, with 8,213 deaths.
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:
Newsfeed
12:46
Urgent action needed to safeguard integrity of COP29 as fossil fuel influence looms large in Baku, report warns
We are days away from the start of COP29 in Azerbaijan. After previous hosts Egypt and the UAE, many had hoped for a more promising (and less...
Source Panorama.am
12:30
Armenian church marks Feast of All Saints
The Armenian Apostolic Church on Saturday celebrates the Feast of All Saints, also called All Saints' Day.
The day...
Source Panorama.am
12:01
Paris Masters: Khachanov through to semi-finals
Russian-Armenian Karen Khachanov won against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, the No 8 seed, 6-2, 6-3 to move into the last four of Paris Masters at...
Source Panorama.am
11:30
Analysis: Aliyev's daughters reportedly control business empire worth over $13 billion
Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and director of policy analysis at the Middle East...
Source Panorama.am
11:00
Armenia's Milena Khachatryan wins silver at U23 European Championships
Armenian weightlifter Milena Khachatryan grabbed a silver medal at the European Junior and U23 Championships being held in Raszyn, Poland, from...
Source Panorama.am
17:23
Russia urged to press for release of Armenian prisoners held by Baku
Opposition MP Artsvik Minasyan urged Russia to press for the release of Armenian prisoners, including Artsakh’s military and political...
Source Panorama.am
16:45
Opposition MP: Armenian leadership 'legitimizes' Azeri crimes
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) staged a protest outside the UN office in Yerevan on Friday, demanding immediate action to secure...
Source Panorama.am
16:04
Temperatures to drop in Armenia from Sunday
Clear weather is expected in Armenia on Friday, Saturday and later next week.
Rain and snow are forecast for some parts of the country on...
Source Panorama.am
15:36
FC Urartu joins calls for Armenian football chief's resignation
FC Urartu has joined the Armenian national team and Premier League fan movements and clubs in demanding the resignation of the current...
Source Panorama.am
15:21
Protesters outside UN office demand release of Armenian prisoners in Baku
Protesters gathered outside the UN office in Yerevan on Friday to demand the immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war and...
Source Panorama.am
14:45
'Brat' is Collins Dictionary's word of the year
Collins Dictionary has declared “brat” – the album title that became a summer-living ideal – its 2024 word of the...
Source Panorama.am
14:21
Armenian Genocide Museum head blasts Mirzoyan's remarks
Historian Hayk Demoyan, Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in Yerevan, lambasted Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan for...
Source Panorama.am
13:36
World Youth Chess Championships underway in Brazil
The FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2024 are being held in Florianopolis, Brazil, from October 29 to November 9.
After the third round,...
Source Panorama.am
13:04
Russia says it is unhappy with Turkey's arms supplies to Ukraine
Russia is "surprised" that Turkey continues to supply Ukraine with weapons while trying to act as a mediator in the conflict between...
Source Panorama.am
12:36
Spain floods death toll rises to 158
At least 158 people have died in Spain's worst flooding disaster in generations as rescuers battle odds to find survivors, BBC News...
Source Panorama.am
12:17
Yerevan subway overcrowded in morning rush hour
The Yerevan Metro was overcrowded on Friday morning as passengers struggled to reach work and classes from the Garegin Nzhdeh station.
The...
Source Panorama.am
11:35
Armenia to host UN Biodiversity Conference in 2026
Armenia will host the next UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties in 2026, the Ministry of Envionment reported.
"In 2026,...
Source Panorama.am
11:16
Lifter Emma Poghosyan crowned junior European champion
Armenian weightlifter Emma Poghosyan has clinched a gold medal at the European Junior and U23 Championships being held in Raszyn, Poland,...
Source Panorama.am
11:01
Paris Masters: Khachanov edges out Popyrin to move into quarter-finals
Karen Khachanov moved into the quarter-finals of Paris Masters by defeating Australian Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (5), 6-4 at the Accor...
Source Panorama.am
17:12
Biden bites baby dressed as chicken at Halloween event
U.S. President Joe Biden playfully bit a stable of adorable, dressed-up tots during a Halloween celebration at the White House on...
Source Panorama.am
16:57
Opposition factions seek parliament debate on Armenian prisoners
The opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem factions have initiated an emergency parliament debate on a draft statement calling for the release of...
Source Panorama.am
16:15
At least 95 killed in Spain flash floods
Rescue efforts are continuing as Spain endures its worst flooding disaster in decades, with at least 95 people confirmed dead and dozens more...
Source Panorama.am
16:05
Catholicos Karekin II urges all to join prayer for Armenian hostages in Azerbaijan
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, asked for people to join the prayer for Armenian hostages held in...
Source Panorama.am
15:45
West's meddling threatens security of entire Eurasian continent, Lavrov says
The aggressive activity of the US and its allies threatens the security of the entire Eurasian continent and increases the risk of its...
Source Panorama.am
15:14
Opposition MP criticizes Armenian government for Turkey's involvement in regional processes
Armenia's incumbent authorities are engaged in “stiff competition” with Azerbaijan on who is more committed to involving Turkey...
Source Panorama.am
14:36
Mirzoyan admits differences between Yerevan and Moscow on 'some issues'
Armenia's relations with Russia are very transparent, and the two countries are bound by strong economic ties, Foreign Minister Ararat...
Source Panorama.am
14:12
Armenian Genocide recognition not a top priority, FM says
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan says that the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide is not a top priority for his...
Source Panorama.am
13:34
Armenian government allocates 2.9 billion drams for subvention schemes
The Armenian government on Thursday approved a decision to allocate 2 billion 903 million drams for the implementation of subvention...
Source Panorama.am
13:05
Foreign minister: Armenia's participation in COP29 in Baku not ruled out
Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has not ruled out the possibility of Armenia’s participation in the UN climate summit in...
Source Panorama.am
12:45
Donald Trump boards garbage truck in response to Biden's comment
Donald Trump walked down the steps of the Boeing 757 that bears his name, walked across a rain-soaked tarmac and, after twice missing the...
Source Panorama.am
Videos
17:32 20/02/2023
Artur Vanetsyan: I think you'll see me more often at various events in future
17:35 20/02/2023
Armenian expert: U.S. stance on Karabakh remains unchanged
13:59 09/02/2023
Premature births increase in Artsakh due to stress
12:43 09/01/2023
Snow-covered Yerevan
15:41 15/12/2022
Gegham Stepanyan calls for sanctions against criminal Azerbaijan
11:45 29/11/2022
Memorial plaque honoring Yeghishe Charents inaugurated in Yerevan
