All domestic flights, bus operations in Saudi suspended

The exemptions also include flights related to humanitarian and necessary cases, medical evacuation aircraft, and private aviation, as well as transports for health services and basic commodities. (Pexels Photo)

MANILA – All domestic flights and several modes of public transportation in Saudi Arabia have been temporarily suspended to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Philippine Consul General in Jeddah Edgar Badajos reminded Filipinos.

“Ipinag-utos kaninang umaga ng Saudi Ministry of Interior ang pag-suspinde sa lahat ng mga domestic flights, bus, taxi at train services ng labing-apat na araw mula alas-6 kaninang umaga (The Saudi Ministry of Interior has suspended all flights, bus, taxi, and train services for 14 days starting 6 a.m. local time),” Badajos said in a statement on Saturday.

State media Saudi Press Agency said the suspension of bus and taxi operations is effective immediately except for service provided in airports for air transport.

“The Public Transport Authority will coordinate with the Ministry of Interior, the Communications and Information Technology Commission, and other relevant authorities to urgently block the violating applications of passenger transport,” the state media reported.

The exemptions also include flights related to humanitarian and necessary cases, medical evacuation aircraft, and private aviation, as well as transports for health services and basic commodities.