Saudi Arabia suspends all int’l flights amid coronavirus scare

In an attempt to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Saudi Arabia has suspended all international flights for two weeks, starting Sunday.

State news agency SPA came up with the information on Saturday (March 14), citing an official source at interior ministry.

The period will be considered as an exceptional official holiday for citizens and residents who are unable to return due to the suspension of flights or if they face quarantine after their return to the Kingdom, SPA cited the official as saying.

Saudi Arabia has reported 86 coronavirus cases.

The coronavirus initially emerged in China late last year and is now spreading in Europe and across the Middle East, forcing the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a global pandemic.

The illness, whose symptoms are fever, cough and difficulty breathing, may cause lung lesions and pneumonia.

Since December 2019, over 145,632 people have been infected in 145 countries and territories across the globe, with more than 5,436 deaths mostly in China.

Dhaka/AI