Coronavirus: Saudi airports take precautionary measures

Cairo: Saudi authorities have said they are enforcing precautionary measures at the kingdom’s airports against the new flu-like coronavirus, which has claimed dozens of lives in China.

The Saudi Civil Aviation Authority said it has taken in cooperation with the Health Ministry precautionary and preventive measures for passengers flying from China on direct and non-direct flights.

The Saudi agency added in a statement, carried Sunday by local media, that it has instructed airports and airlines operating in the kingdom to take “necessary health precautions” for passengers especially those coming from countries where suspected Coronavirus cases have been detected.

In recent months, Saudi Arabia have introduced instant entry visas for nationals of several countries as part of its efforts to attract holidaymakers.

Earlier this week, Saudi health authorities denied any Coronavirus has been detected in the country.

The Saudi embassy in China, meanwhile, urged Saudi citizens in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus broke out last month, to communicate with it to evacuate them.

China is battling to prevent the virus from turning into an epidemic. Several other countries have announced health emergency to keep the deadly virus at bay.