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Saudi Arabia opens airports at full capacity after sharp drop in coronavirus cases

Saudi Arabia opens airports at full capacity after sharp drop in coronavirus cases
Saudi Arabia has reopened its airports at full capacity as the country begins to return to 'normal' following the coronavirus pandemic.
2 min read
18 October, 2021
SaudiÌýairports willÌýoperate at full capacity since the coronavirus pandemic began last year [Getty]

Arabia's airports are now able toÌýoperateÌýat full capacity forÌýinternational and domestic flights in a move towards normality after months of tight measures due to the outbreak.

AÌýcircular distributed to all airlines operating in Saudi airports,Ìýincluding private carriers, outlined that the newÌýinstruction would beÌýeffective on Sunday, the kingdom's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said on Sunday.

Airports still need toÌýverify passengers' Covid-19ÌýÌýusing the "Tawakkalna" application, the authority said.

"The entire capacity of the kingdom’s airports will be used to operate domestic and international flightsÌýwith the continuance of verifying immunisation status in the 'Tawakklna'Ìýapplication," the GACA said.

The circular effectively allows Saudi airports to operate at full capacity for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic's spread in 2020.

The kingdom was effectively sealed off to outside visitorsÌýduring the pandemic.

It has since relaxed other restrictionsÌýin response to a sharpÌýdecline in Covid-19 cases.

MENA
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The kingdom thatÌýnumerous coronavirus restrictions would be lifted on Sunday, including the requirement to wearÌýmasks and socially distance in public spaces.

The country's two holyÌýmosques in Mecca and Medina were also allowed to open at full capacity for those who are fully vaccinated, the SaudiÌýinterior ministry said.

Vaccinated Saudis were allowed to leave the kingdomÌýfor the first time in overÌýa year last May,Ìýas the country implemented in March 2020Ìýon international travel aimed at containing the spread of Covid-19.

Saudi Arabia is reportingÌý48Ìýnew infections on average each day, which is 1 percent of their peak reported on 19 June, according to Reuters.

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