The Saudi government has published new strict guidelines, provoking significant challenges in airports in recent days. In response to these regulations, the Civil Sadi Aviation Authority (GACA) has published a notice detailing the requirements.
According to a statement by Pakistan International Airlines spokesperson (PIA), Abdullah Khan, he was made compulsory for all travelers to go to Saudi Arabia to receive a polio vaccination.
Khan explained that travelers had to receive vaccination against polio at least four weeks before going to Saudi Arabia, but that should not be six months older. The requirement for polio vaccination applies to all travelers, whether on an OMRA visa, a tourist visa or an iqama.
However, he said that travelers who have a transit time of less than 12 hours in any Saudi airport are exempt from this requirement.
Khan also said that the vaccination certificate had to bear the cachet of a government or a private hospital. Consequently, all passengers intended to go to Saudi Arabia are invited to bring their vaccination certificate with them to the airport.
He stressed that travelers without required certificate will not be allowed to board flights to Saudi Arabia. These directives will be applied in all airports and by all airlines, he added.
