The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia has announced that it updated its traveler’s guide, to allow Pakistani and other international travel for exceptional categories.

“The new controls include, not allowing non-Saudis to enter the Kingdom’s territory except after submitting evidence that they are free from infection with the novel coronavirus based on a recent testing by a reliable and approved medical entity outside the Kingdom, and no more than 48 hours have passed since the date of its execution at the moment of their arrival at the airport,” said GACA.

Furthermore, travelers must adhere to the preventive health procedures that imposes home quarantine for those arriving from outside the Kingdom (for Saudis and non-Saudis), as per the period determined by the Health Ministry, added GACA.

This in addition to downloading and using both “Tetamen” and “Tawaklna” applications. Meanwhile, travelers must commit to a full medical disclosure during the reservation process. Further, travelers must report if they have any symptoms of the coronavirus.

Last week, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) commence its flight operations to Saudi Arabia with flights to depart from Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad carrying passengers to Saudi Arabia.

PIA had started booking from September 15, after Saudi Arabia authorities announced that it will partially lift its suspension of international flights as of Sept. 15 to allow "exceptional categories" of citizens and residents to travel. The kingdom will scrap all travel restrictions on air, land, and sea transport for citizens on Jan. 1, 2021.