ISTANBUL 

Saudi Arabia will allow fully vaccinated tourists to enter the country as of Aug. 1 following a year and a half break due to the coronavirus, local media reported Friday.

The Saudi news agency SPA cited the Ministry of Tourism as saying that the Kingdom will lift the suspension of entry for tourist visa holders.

“Fully vaccinated tourists can enter the Kingdom without the need for an institutional quarantine period, provided that an official vaccination certificate is presented upon arrival and proof of a PCR test with its negative result within 72 hours from the time of departure,” SPA reported.

“We welcome tourists again, and we are very happy to receive the Kingdom’s guests again after a pause due to the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic,” the agency quoted Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb as saying.

Saudi Arabia offered tourist visas for the first time in September 2019.