DFA: Saudis ban Filipino tourists and Umrah pilgrims over coronavirus

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has advised that Filipino tourists and Umrah visa holders are covered by Saudi Arabia's travel ban imposed to control the spread of COVID-19.

Saudi Arabia suspended entry visas for both Umrah pilgrims and tourists from countries deemed high-risk, including the Philippines.

Initially, there was confusion regarding the scope of the ban, but the DFA sought clarification after reports of Filipinos being denied entry.

Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez stated that the DFA would bring cases of negative impacts to the attention of the Saudi government.