U.S. Embassy Covid-19 Information

Last updated: 12/03/2020

Country-Specific Information:

  • Saudi Arabia is experiencing sustained community transmission of COVID-19. Information about reported cases in the Kingdom is available on the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Dashboard in Arabic and in English.

  • Saudi Arabia’s COVID-19 caseload impacts the ability of the country’s medical system to provide care. The U.S. Mission has received reports from American citizens who have experienced difficulties in accessing care for COVID-19 and other medical conditions.

  • The Government of Saudi Arabia requires everyone to wear a face mask in all public venues. Those who fail to comply are subject to a fine of 10,000 Saudi riyals (SAR).

  • Most commercial services and activities are currently available, though crowd size is limited to no more than 50. Grocery stores remain well stocked, and restaurants, malls, shops, and private entities are open, though some may only offer limited services.

  • On October 8, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education announced that all schooling will be virtual until the end of the first semester.

  • The Saudi Government announced the phased resumption of Umrah beginning Sunday, October 4, 2020. More information about the stages can be found here. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend participation in Umrah. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah launched a mobile application, Etamarna, to enable issuance of permits to those wishing to perform Umrah. In addition, pilgrims will need to register in the Tawakalna mobile application to be able to submit an Umrah permit request.


Covid-19Zaneta Perussich