DFA: Saudi Arabia bans Filipino pilgrims, tourists over COVID-19

Saudi Arabia has temporarily banned citizens from several countries, including the Philippines, in a bid to keep the COVID-19 virus from entering the kingdom.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, following are covered by the temporary travel ban:

• Umrah Visa holders; and
• Tourist Visa holders from countries judged to pose a particularly high risk of spreading the virus, including the Philippines.

Filipinos who hold visas for employment, work visit, business visit, and family visit are still allowed entry into Saudi Arabia.

"The issuance of entry visas to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the purpose of Umrah and/or visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina as well as the issuance of tourist visas are suspended indefinitely," the DFA said in an advisory. —NB, GMA News