Saudi Arabia bars citizens, residents from travel to China

Saudi Arabia Thursday barred its citizens and residents of the kingdom from travelling to China amid the new virus outbreak. The kingdom's General Directorate of Passports said the measure was in response to the new virus believed to have stemmed from central China. It warned that any residents of the kingdom who violate this order will not be allowed to return to Saudi Arabia. It also said that regulatory provisions on travel documents would be applied to citizens who violate the travel ban, without further elaboration. On Sunday, Saudi Arabia’s flagship national carrier, Saudia, joined other major airlines in suspending flights to China. The virus has not yet been detected in Saudi Arabia, but five cases— among them a family of four from Wuhan — have been confirmed in neighboring United Arab Emirates.<br/>