Saudi Arabia is extending its travel-restriction period and shift the date for reopening the Kingdom’s borders from March 31 to May 17.

The authorities have confirmed that this is due to delays in the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines

The Ministry of Interior announcement came just weeks after the Saudi government had declared that it will reopen the country’s land, sea, and air entry points for travel at the end of March – should the number of COVID-19 cases drop further.

New cases, however, are now again crossing 200+ a day.

#الصحة⁩ تعلن عن تسجيل (267) حالة إصابة جديدة بفيروس كورونا (كوفيد-19)، وتسجيل (2) حالات وفيات رحمهم الله، وتسجيل (253) حالة تعافي ليصبح إجمالي عدد الحالات المتعافية (359,006) حالة ولله الحمد. pic.twitter.com/dkZRbXZPqz

Recommended

Saudi Has Temporarily Banned Travel To These 16 Countries Due To COVID SurgesThe Number Of New COVID-19 Cases Cross 3,000 For The First Time In 18 MonthsA Saudi Startup Develops Kingdom’s First COVID-19 Test Kit And They’ll Be Available All Over The Country

— وزارة الصحة السعودية (@SaudiMOH) January 29, 2021

The latest decision was based on a statement by the Saudi health minister revealing that COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers had failed to meet deadlines for the delivery of contracted batches.

A second wave of the virus spreading rapidly around the world had also influenced the move, the ministry added.