Kuwait City: The land borders between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have been reopened following a six-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Security forces told Al Rai media that the General Administration of Border Ports and the Ministry of Interior are working together to ensure that passengers are complying to all procedures.
Similar to all travellers arriving into Kuwait, passengers arriving on the border are required to present a valid PCR test, conducted no longer than 96 hours ago. Photos on social media have illustrated the eagerness of both Kuwaitis and Saudis to visit their neighbouring country.
There is one border crossing between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, which is located in the Southern area of Kuwait, known as Nuwaiseeb. The border on the Kuwaiti side is known as Nuwaiseeb Port.
Kuwait closures
Kuwait has barred any travelers from entering or exiting via land, sea and air since March 13. Then on August 1, the Kuwait International Airport and commercial flights resumed at a 30 per cent capacity.
Although the borders have been closed for several months, in May the government allowed Kuwaiti citizens stuck in Saudi Arabia to return to the country as part of a government repatriation plan. All passengers that arrived via the borders were taken to mandatory quarantine in Al Khairan resort.
Saudi closures
Saudi Arabia has also implemented land, air and sea closures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. On March 7, Saudi Arabia announced that only commercial trucks will be able to travel between the kingdom and UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday that it will partially lift the suspension of international flights starting from September 15. The Ministry also said that all restrictions on air, land and sea transport will be lifted ‘after January 1’.
On July 26, the Saudi Embassy announced that the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan land borders are open for citizens and their family members looking to return to the kingdom.
