Saudi Arabia has suspended domestic flights, trains, buses and taxis for 14 days as part of efforts to stop the spread of the COVID-19, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

 

Quoting a directive from the Ministry of Interior, SPA said the new measure took effect on March 21.

 

Only flights related to humanitarian and necessary cases, medical evacuation aircraft and private aviation would be allowed, provided that they are covered by the necessary permits issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, SPA said.

 

Also exempted from the travel ban are buses belonging to government agencies or public or private health facilities, and commercial establishments transporting their employees, or those that are used for health, humanitarian or security purposes.

 

Affected in the train services suspension are the Riyadh-Dammam line through Abqaiq and Hofuf, the Riyadh-Jawf line through the Majmaa, Al-Qassim and Hail, and the Haramain Express. 

 

Commercial transport trains, including the freight train between King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and the Dry Port in Riyadh, and the mining train of the Saudi Railways Company "Saar" will be allowed to continue operating.

 

Transport ferries between Jazan and Farasan Island may also continue operating, but the number of passengers would be reduced to 100 people per trip, "taking into account the employees and residents of Farsan Island, and not allowing travel through them for tourist purposes" the report said.

 

Cargo ships will be allowed to continue with their usual program, provided that the crews take all precautions to limit the transmission of infection.

 

Transportation related to vital sectors such as health, services and basic commodities such as food, energy, water and communications, etc., air freight and necessary security transfers will not be affected by the temporary ban, the report said.