Saudi Arabia goes on lockdown over coronavirus fears

• Umrah pilgrims and those on visit visas have been instructed to leave Saudi Arabia within 72 hours.
• Pakistan International Airline (PIA) has initiated measures to bring back the citizens of Pakistan.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has announced to lockdown the country on Thursday, as precautionary measures to combat the rising epidemic of coronavirus.

As per details, all airlines have been informed of the decision, under which Umrah pilgrims and those on visit visas have been instructed to leave Saudi Arabia within 72 hours.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) has initiated measures to bring back the citizens of Pakistan. The national carrier informed that additional flight schedules to be announced soon. Whereas, additional flights will be used to facilitate Pakistani citizens, informed PIA.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia announced to suspend its flights with Pakistan and several other countries.

Currently, Saudi Arabia has 45 coronavirus cases. The kingdom has temporarily suspended flight from European Union countries, Swiss Confederation, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Sudan. Flight to and from Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Kenya, Djibouti, and Federal Somalia have also been suspended, state news agency SPA said.

The kingdom has given Saudi citizens and nationals of the countries covered by the ban who have valid residency in the Kingdom, a 72-hour period to return to Saudi Arabia.

It has also suspended passenger traffic through all land crossings with Jordan. However, commercial and cargo traffic is still allowed, and the passage of exceptional humanitarian cases. The ban excludes health workers in the Kingdom from Philippines and India.