The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary travel ban on the Philippines as the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) continues worldwide.

In an advisory dated March 12, the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah disclosed that Saudi Arabia expanded its "temporary travel suspension" to several countries, including the Philippines.

Saudi citizens and those with vaild residency from the covered countries are given a 72-hour window starting March 12 to return to or exit Saudi before the ban takes effect.

Meanwhile, based on the Consualte's advisory, health workers returning to Saudi from the Philippines and India are exempted from the travel ban and will be subjected to a special medical evaluation upon their return.