Omicron: More Troubles For Travellers As Saudi Arabia Suspends Flights From Nigeria

Saudi Arabia has suspended flights from Nigeria due to the COVID19 Omicron strain.

The ban follows the six cases of the Covid-19 Omicron Variant detected in Nigeria.

The ban was announced on Wednesday in a circular from the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation, GACA, to all airlines operating in the Kingdom.

The circular dates 8th of December 2021 with reference number 27682/5 was addressed to all airlines operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It stated that flights from Nigeria are suspended except for individuals who have spent at least 14 days in another nation from which they are permitted to fly.

THE WHISTLER understands that a memo had already been issued ordering that all smaller Hajj journeys be cancelled in light of the event.

Nigeria was recently blacklisted by British and Canadian authorities over the Omicron variant, despite the federal government’s opposition to the prohibition.

Nigeria has six confirmed cases of the new strain considered by the World Health Organisation as ‘highly virulent’.

The world health body has also warned against the arbitrary restriction of travel, especially against African countries, which it insisted will elude global unity.