Saudi Arabia bans entry from 20 countries

Saudi Arabia has banned arrivals from 20 countries, effective tomorrow, as it tries to combat the spread of Covid-19.

The move comes just days after Riyadh pushed back a planned full reopening of its borders by six weeks, to mid-May, and acts as a further blow to prospects for an increase in regional jet fuel demand.

It follows a decision by neighbouring Oman to delay the reopening of its borders.

The Saudi ban applies to non-Saudis from Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UAE, the UK and the US, according to state-run Spa news agency. Citing the interior ministry, it said the ban is effective from tomorrow and is temporary, but gave no indication of how long it will last.

Spa said that 310 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded by the health ministry today, bringing the country's cumulative total to more than 368,000. More than 6,000 people have died from the virus in Saudi Arabia.

By Ben Winkley