Saudi Arabia suspends travel and arrivals from Kenya to confront “Ebola”

Saudi Arabia has taken additional precautionary measures to reduce the risks associated with the outbreak of the Ebola virus, based on the competent health authorities’ assessment of the epidemiological situation.

The measures included suspending citizens’ travel to Kenya, issuing all types of visas to those coming from it, and preventing entry into Saudi Arabia for those coming from Saudi Arabia, including those coming through other countries who resided in Kenya or countries that witnessed an outbreak of the virus during the 21 days prior to their arrival in the Kingdom.

These measures come as an extension of the preventive measures that Saudi Arabia began implementing since July 2019, and strengthened them last May for those coming from countries experiencing the risk of an outbreak of the Ebola virus.

It came as part of a proactive approach to continuous monitoring and evaluation of health risks, and coordination with relevant authorities locally and internationally, to protect the health of citizens, residents and visitors, and to contribute to strengthening global health security.

Last June, Saudi Arabia suspended the travel of citizens from Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, in addition to strengthening precautionary measures for those coming from countries neighboring areas of the virus outbreak, including examination at ports of entry, epidemiological investigation, and activating early health response mechanisms.

The Public Health Authority “Weqaya” confirmed that the health situation in Saudi Arabia is reassuring and subject to careful and continuous monitoring, indicating the continued monitoring of epidemiological developments regionally and internationally, in coordination with the competent authorities inside and outside the country, and taking the necessary preventive measures in accordance with developments in the epidemiological situation, in a way that enhances the readiness of the health response and preserves the health and safety of everyone.

The Supreme Gulf Military Committee discussed continuing to activate joint military cooperation, and issues aimed at strengthening defense cooperation and strengthening the interconnectedness and fraternal coordination between the armed forces of the GCC countries.

This came during the twenty-third meeting of the Chiefs of Staff of the Gulf Armed Forces, which Bahrain hosted on Thursday, during which they discussed military issues of common interest and ways to enhance cooperation and coordination, in a way that serves common interests and aspirations.

Lieutenant General Theyab Al Nuaimi, Chief of the Bahraini Chief of Staff, explained that “the seriousness of this stage and the extraordinary attacks it is witnessing place us all before a historic responsibility that requires our full solidarity, close coordination, and joint cooperation, to contain all risks that threaten the security and stability of the Gulf states.”

Al Nuaimi pointed out that Bahrain has always emphasized the necessity of strengthening defense systems and defense integration, and supporting the pillars of joint military construction between the Gulf states, looking forward to “the meeting taking our hands to achieve the good and elevation we aspire to for our countries, the aspirations and visions of our leaders, and the hopes of our peoples, in a way that ensures lasting security, stability and prosperity.”

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister, arrived in the American city of Atlanta, on Friday, to participate in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Group of Twenty (G20).

The meetings are scheduled to address the most prominent geopolitical developments, maritime navigation security, energy, food security, global trade and supply chains, in addition to enhancing international cooperation and multilateral action to confront global economic challenges.

The accompanying delegation includes Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi Ambassador to the United States, and Abdul Mohsen Al-Khalaf, Deputy Minister of Finance, the Saudi Sherpa to the G20.