Saudi Arabia suspends travel to Congo, Uganda, South Sudan over Ebola

Saudi Arabia has suspended travel by its citizens to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan and halted the issuance of visas and entry for travellers arriving from those three countries. The ban also applies to anyone who has stayed in any of the three nations during the 21 days before arriving in the kingdom, even if they traveled via a third country.

The measures are part of precautionary actions against the spread of the Ebola virus, which has caused a surge of cases in the Congo region. Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Authority said the overall health situation in the kingdom remains stable with no confirmed or suspected Ebola cases recorded since the restrictions began. The authority also increased health screening and surveillance for travellers from neighbouring countries, including Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and the Republic of Congo, and continues to monitor regional and international epidemiological developments.