COVID-19: Saudi Arabia restricts land transport over virus fears
Greater reliance on sea and air transport urged as kingdom fights coronavirus
Cairo: Saudi trade authorities have minimised the use of land transport in delivering imported goods to the kingdom, the latest step in preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus, Saudi news portal Ajel reported Sunday.
Trade Minister Majed Al Kassabi has instructed that trucks' passage through the kingdom's land crossings should be limited to those carrying basic goods including food, medicines and medical requirements, according to the report.
"The directives confirm to all traders, exporters and transporters the importance of reliance on maritime and air transport and that land transport should be limited to cases of extreme necessity," sources told Ajel.
Shipments allowed through the Saudi land crossings must first comply with the precautionary and preventive measures set by the Health Ministry, the sources added.
According to the latest directives, drivers of trucks coming from abroad are allowed a 96-hour stay inside the kingdom, starting from the time of their entry into the Saudi territory. Violators will be fined, the sources added without giving specific figures.