Saudi Arabia: COVID-19 vaccinations boosters will be required for entering public places from Feb. 1 /update 15

Event

Authorities in Saudi Arabia announced that beginning Feb. 1, COVID-19 vaccinations boosters will be required for entering public places. The decision applies to those 18 and over who received their second vaccine dose at least eight months ago.

Domestic Measures
Authorities are maintaining mask-wearing and social distancing in all closed and open spaces in response to the Omicron COVID-19 variant. All retail establishments and public buildings throughout the country require individuals to use the Tawakkalna app to be admitted into the establishment. People in Saudi Arabia will have to show proof of vaccination by a Ministry of Health-approved vaccine to enter all government and private establishments, as well as to use public transportation and domestic air travel. Social distancing has been reimposed at Makkah’s Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, and social distancing measures will be applied to worshippers in prayer areas and pilgrims performing Umrah.

International Entry Restrictions
Authorities in Saudi Arabia are allowing entry to travelers "from all countries" provided they have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Such travelers will still be required to quarantine for at least three days upon arrival in the country. The measure does not apply to travelers from countries on Saudi Arabia's travel ban list. For information regarding countries on the travel ban list and exemptions from it, click here.

Authorities require all non-Saudis, except for children under eight years of age, to present a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departing for the Kingdom; travelers who do not provide the requisite negative test result will be barred from boarding their flight. All incoming travelers, except for Saudi citizens and residents and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens, must also have medical insurance covering COVID-19 treatment.

All travelers, except for Saudi citizens and certain exempted individuals, must complete a Registration Immunization Information Form (i.e., arrival registration) before departing for Saudi Arabia; completing the form registers individuals' vaccination data, allowing them to use the Tawakkalna mobile application. Travelers with tourist visas are allowed to enter Saudi Arabia provided they are fully vaccinated and have completed their arrival registration via the Muqeem website. To access the form via the Muqeem website, click here.

All foreign travelers entering Saudi Arabia must download and register their information on the Tawakkalna mobile application no more than eight hours after arrival and comply with the preventive measures described therein, including quarantine procedures, as required by the Health Disclaimer Form. To view the Health Disclaimer Form, click here.

All foreign travelers to Saudi Arabia must also complete a daily health assessment via the Tetamman mobile application. Travelers who present a certificate indicating that they had been fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before departure or whose health status is "immune" in the Tawakkalna mobile application are not required to take COVID-19 tests upon arrival or undergo a quarantine period. All other non-citizen travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia, including unvaccinated individuals, are subject to quarantine for at least five days and must take a PCR test within 24 hours after arrival and on the fifth day after arrival; these travelers are permitted to exit quarantine on the fifth day after arrival upon receipt of negative results from both tests.

Authorities could introduce new preventive measures or amend existing restrictions depending on disease activity in the coming days and weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all business appointments and travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Saudi Ministry of Health
Saudi Ministry of Interior
Health Declaration Form
Tawakkalna App
Tetamman App