Saudi Arabia will permit citizens immunized against COVID-19 to travel abroad from May 17, the interior ministry said Sunday, more than a year after Saudis were barred from external trips.
The ministry said three categories of people would be considered immunized -- those who have received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine, those administered a single dose at least 14 days prior to travel, and people who have recovered from the infection within the last six months.
Saudis under the age of 18 -- an age group that is not receiving vaccines -- would also be allowed to travel from May 17, provided they carry an insurance policy approved by the central bank, the ministry said in a statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency.
"The decision to lift the suspension on citizens traveling outside Saudi Arabia will go into effect at 1 a.m. on May 17," the ministry said, adding that the kingdom will re-open its land, sea, and air borders.
The policy represents an incentive for citizens, barred from traveling abroad since the pandemic began, to get vaccinated.
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The kingdom's health ministry said it has administered more than nine million coronavirus vaccine doses, in a country with a population of over 34 million.
The country has reported more than 419,000 coronavirus infections and nearly 7,000 deaths from COVID-19.
Last month, Saudi Arabia permitted only people immunized against COVID-19 to perform the year-round umrah pilgrimage from the start of Ramadan, the holy fasting month for Muslims.
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It is unclear whether that policy, which comes amid an uptick in coronavirus infections in the kingdom, would be extended to the annual hajj pilgrimage later this year.
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