A plane taxies on the runway at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. AFP
A plane taxies on the runway at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. AFP
A plane taxies on the runway at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. AFP
A plane taxies on the runway at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. AFP

Saudi Arabia advises against non-essential overseas travel


  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia’s public health authority has advised against all unnecessary travel outside the kingdom, especially to high-risk countries affected by the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

Citing the “accelerated spread of the virus in many countries”, the authority also recommends that all travellers arriving in the kingdom self-isolate for at least five days, state news agency SPA reported.

New arrivals in Saudi Arabia should take a PCR test if they experience respiratory symptoms or a high temperature, the health authority said.

This advice should be followed regardless of vaccination status, it said.

The health authority said incoming travellers should continue to follow preventative measures including mask-wearing and hand-washing.

On Saturday, Saudi Arabia reported 80 new Covid-19 cases, 92 recoveries and two deaths related to the virus during the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said.

The ministry put the total number of cases detected in the kingdom since the pandemic began at 550,622, including 8,860 deaths.

In total, 539,885 people have recovered from the virus in Saudi Arabia.

Health authorities around the world have sounded the alarm about the rapid spread of Omicron.

Scientists remain uncertain how dangerous the coronavirus variant is, but early data suggests it can be more resistant to vaccines and is more transmissible than the Delta variant.

Egypt reported its first cases of the variant on Saturday. Its government said it was detected in three travellers who had tested positive after returning to the country.

Omicron has been reported in 89 countries, the World Health Organisation said.

The variant is spreading rapidly even in places with high vaccination levels.

  • A young woman receives a Pfizer jab in Diepsloot Township near Johannesburg, South Africa. AP Photo
    A young woman receives a Pfizer jab in Diepsloot Township near Johannesburg, South Africa. AP Photo
  • A girl wearing a face mask rides on a merry-go-round at the Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo
    A girl wearing a face mask rides on a merry-go-round at the Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo
  • People travel on a London underground tube train on the Jubilee Line, in London, during the pandemic. AP Photo
    People travel on a London underground tube train on the Jubilee Line, in London, during the pandemic. AP Photo
  • People wait for the tram in Vienna, Austria, amid the crisis. AP Photo
    People wait for the tram in Vienna, Austria, amid the crisis. AP Photo
  • A woman passes by an empty terrace in the Marrolles quarter in Brussels, Belgium. AP Photo
    A woman passes by an empty terrace in the Marrolles quarter in Brussels, Belgium. AP Photo
  • A teacher gives online lessons via webcam at the temporarily closed elementary school in the town of Trebisov, eastern Slovakia. TASR via AP
    A teacher gives online lessons via webcam at the temporarily closed elementary school in the town of Trebisov, eastern Slovakia. TASR via AP
  • Hairdressers and clients wear masks in Amsterdam, Netherlands. AFP
    Hairdressers and clients wear masks in Amsterdam, Netherlands. AFP
  • A man disinfects seats for tourists at a beach in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. EPA
    A man disinfects seats for tourists at a beach in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. EPA
  • Israeli boy Itamar, 5, receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Meuhedet Healthcare Services Organisation in Tel Aviv. AFP
    Israeli boy Itamar, 5, receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Meuhedet Healthcare Services Organisation in Tel Aviv. AFP
  • A patient suffering from Covid-19 is admitted in the intensive care unit of the Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters
    A patient suffering from Covid-19 is admitted in the intensive care unit of the Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters
  • A health worker prepares to administer the AstraZeneca jab in Abuja, Nigeria. AFP
    A health worker prepares to administer the AstraZeneca jab in Abuja, Nigeria. AFP
While you're here
EXPATS
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Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Washmen Profile

Date Started: May 2015

Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Laundry

Employees: 170

Funding: about $8m

Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures

Ant-Man%20and%20the%20Wasp%3A%20Quantumania
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPeyton%20Reed%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Paul%20Rudd%2C%20Evangeline%20Lilly%2C%20Jonathan%20Majors%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

 

 

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Company%20profile
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The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

Asia Cup 2018 Qualifier

Sunday's results:

  • UAE beat Malaysia by eight wickets
  • Nepal beat Singapore by four wickets
  • Oman v Hong Kong, no result

Tuesday fixtures:

  • Malaysia v Singapore
  • UAE v Oman
  • Nepal v Hong Kong
Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League, last-16 second leg
Paris Saint-Germain (1) v Borussia Dortmund (2)
Kick-off: Midnight, Thursday, March 12
Stadium: Parc des Princes
Live: On beIN Sports HD

GULF MEN'S LEAGUE

Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2

Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers

 

Opening fixtures

Thursday, December 5

6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles

7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers

7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles

7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2

 

Recent winners

2018 Dubai Hurricanes

2017 Dubai Exiles

2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

AL%20BOOM
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City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1

Updated: December 19, 2021, 6:50 AM