Health Alert
Message for U.S. Citizens – June 24, 2020
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Event: Saudi Arabia continues to experience sustained community spread of the COVID-19 virus. As of June 23, there were 157,612 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Kingdom. This growing caseload impacts the ability of Saudi Arabia’s medical system to provide care for COVID-19 patients and persons with other medical conditions, and the Mission has received some reports of American citizens who have had difficulty accessing care.
The Mission continues to work with Saudi authorities to facilitate repatriation flights to the United States during the period in which international air travel is suspended due to COVID-19; details of flights through June 29 are available in the Health Alert issued on June 9. Saudia Airlines has announced additional flights to the United States from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam during the period July 1-4, all arriving at Washington-Dulles International airport (IAD); flights originating in Dammam, and some originating in Riyadh, involve overnight connections in Jeddah. These are one-way flights with no possibility of return to the Kingdom at this time; there is no indication when commercial air service will be restored. American citizens who wish to return to the United States and, in particular, persons with underlying medical conditions or who are otherwise at high-risk for severe illness with COVID-19, should consider taking one of these flights or be prepared to remain in the Kingdom until commercial service is restored.
Booking Instructions:
Booking for these flights will be conducted online at www.Saudia.com (passengers must select the ‘one-way’ option and should click the box indicating flexibility with travel dates to find all available flights); through Saudia’s call center at 920000488; and by WhatsApp at +966556733500. All travelers must be appropriately documented to enter to the United States.
Required Documentation:
Passengers must have completed all required Saudi exit procedures before arriving at the airport (please see the March 30 Health Alert on this topic); it will not be possible to complete these procedures at the airport. U.S. citizens who also have Saudi nationality and wish to take any of these flights must obtain permission from
the Saudi Ministry of the Interior in order to travel. U.S. citizens may contact MOI at 8004399999@hq.moi.gov.sa for additional information about this process.
Other Considerations:
All passengers are responsible for their own transportation to the airport.
There are no commercial flights from the United States to Saudia Arabia at this time; passengers on these flights will not be able to return to the Kingdom until commercial service is restored.
Prospective passengers should consider CDC guidance on international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, review health conditions at their final destination. The CDC advises travelers on flights from Saudi Arabia to self-isolate for 14 days after they arrive in the United States.
Passengers who are making flight connections should allow extra time for COVID-19 related screening procedures upon arrival in the United States.
All passengers should carefully review the Tips for Repatriation Flights portion of the U.S. Mission’s COVID-19 information page.
**Please note: Health screening will be conducted prior to embarkation and anyone with flu-like symptoms or a fever will not be allowed to board a flight and should not come to the airport.
Actions to Take:
• Register in STEP and encourage other Americans to do so.
• Ensure your passport is valid and you have funds to purchase a ticket.
• Complete any Saudi exit permit/visa formalities if you wish to travel.
• Cooperate with public policies designed to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
• Stay abreast of local news and information concerning travel restrictions.
• For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
• Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
• Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Saudi Arabia. • Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest restrictions on travel to the United States.
For Assistance Contact:
U.S. Embassy Riyadh
Abdullah Ibn Hudhafah As Sahmi Street Roundabout no. 9, Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Telephone: (966) (11) 488-3800
Fax: (966) (11) 488-7670 RiyadhACS@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Jeddah
Al Safa Street, Al Muhammadiyah District, near the new American School building.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Telephone: (966) (12) 220-5000
Fax: (966) (12) 220-5093 JeddahACS@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Dhahran
Between KFUPM and King Abdulaziz Airbase, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Telephone: (966) (13) 330-3200
Fax: (966) (13) 330-6816 DhahranACS@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Saudi Arabia Country Information
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