Riyadh, September 15, 2020, SPA -- Based on the issuance of the kind approval, and according to what was raised by the competent authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the latest developments of the confrontation of the coronavirus pandemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the first international flights began on Tuesday morning after permission for travel was given for exceptional groups. In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) confirmed the operational readiness of Saudi airports for this stage, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and the relevant government agencies within the airport facilities. The GACA indicated that the conditions include not allowing non-Saudis to enter the territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia except after submitting evidence that they are free from infection of the novel coronavirus, based on a recent testing from a reliable and approved authority outside the Kingdom, and no more than 48 hours before the date of arrival at the airport. Further, travelers should adhere to the health preventive measures that impose home quarantine for those coming from outside the Kingdom for a period of three days, provided that there is a negative (PCR) test result for a sample taken 48 hours after arrival in the Kingdom and that they are free from any symptoms of a suspected infection of the novel coronavirus. It is worth noting that GACA will update the approved health protocols for travel at this stage in the traveler's guide. Meanwhile, the date set for lifting the suspension completely for international flights will be announced 30 days before January 1, 2021. The Ministry of Health, if required at that time, may raise a request to set preventive health requirements for travelers and carriers during travel. --SPA 17:52 LOCAL TIME 14:52 GMT 0016 www.spa.gov.sa/w1411323