SYDNEY — The first batch of Saudi citizens departed Australia Thursday morning on a dedicated Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) flight, Saudi Press Agency reported. The flight, which left Sydney, will arrive at the King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The special flights are part of the repatriation operation which is being carried out in line with the implementation of the directives by King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, and with follow-up from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and their keenness to help Saudi citizens abroad in light of the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic, while caring for their health and safety. Upon arrival in Riyadh, the returnees were received by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Health and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). All the returnees were made to go through all health and preventive measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The preventive measures include 12 stages through which all passengers have to go, beginning at the airport of the country of departure until their arrival and exit from the Kingdom"s airports. Saudi Ambassador to Australia Musaed Bin Ibrahim Al-Saleem expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Crown Prince for their unlimited support to citizens at home and abroad and harnessing the necessary capabilities in light of these difficult circumstances to ensure their safety and facilitating their return. A number of departing citizens expressed their thanks and gratitude to the wise leadership and to the Kingdom"s embassy in Australia for the facilities provided in order to secure their return and ensure their safety in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. — SPA