90th Saudi National Day 23rd September Celebrations

90th Saudi National Day on 23rd September will be celebrated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

The largest National Day air show, dazzling fireworks, and concerts are some of the exciting events planned for the 90th National Day celebrations across the country under the guidance of Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA).

Details are as below:

• There will be official Holiday on 23rd September, 2020
• Unlimited free internet to social media on the 90th Saudi National Day
• Ahlaam Concert at King Abdullah Sports City Tickets Here
• Abadi Al Jauhar & Dalia Mubarak at  King Abdullah Sports City Tickets Here
• Mohamed Hakami Concert at  King Abdullah Sports City Tickets Here
• Arab Dirab Concert at  King Abdullah Sports City Tickets Here
• The air show, the largest so far on the National Day, will have the participation of 60 military and civilian aircraft @ 4:00pm

Concerts featuring Arab stars will also be organized in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam from September 22 to 26.(Source GEA & Arabnews)

Health Tip of the day: Reducing risk of Heart Attack or Stroke

One of the best ways to protect yourself against a stroke or heart attack is by not smoking. Here are other ways:

• Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight increases your risk of high blood pressure high cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors for a stroke and heart attack. So eat a nutritious diet and aim for 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity on most days. 

• Limit fats and cholesterol

Limit meat to a total of 6 ounces daily. Choose fat-free or low-fat dairy products. Limit saturated fats and avoid transfats. Instead of solid fats (butter, margarine, shortening), use monounsaturated oils (canola, olive and peanut) and polyunsaturated oils (corn, safflower, sesame, sunflower and soy). 

• Eat fish that have omega-3s

Eat fish that have omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and trout. (See “Eat foods high in omega-3s,”

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables

Produce contains nutrients such as potassium, folate and antioxidants that may protect against stroke and heart attack. Eat at least three servings of fruits and at least four servings of vegetables daily.

• Use alcohol moderately, if at all

Too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. Moderate drinking is defined as no more than one drink a day for women and anyone age 65 or older and no more than two drinks a day for men under 65.

• Reduce sodium (salt)

Limiting sodium in your diet and making other lifestyle changes can help prevent high blood pressure. If you already have it, reducing sodium intake further may help lower it.

Your Iqama/National ID is your insurance in Saudia

Council of cooperative health insurance has announced that now you can use your iqama to check your health insurance. 

Visit CCHI website and go to e services, then insurance e services. 

Its just that simple.

Enter the Iqama number and verification captcha number and hit search. It will detail your insurance. 

Now you don't need to present or carry your insurance card, your iqama has it all.

Here is the link to website of CCHI

https://eservices.cchi.gov.sa/Pages/ClientSystem/CheckInsurance.aspx?lang=en

Prerequisite of Travel to Lebanon in Covid19 era

 Before you depart

All passengers must complete a Medical form issued by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health before arrival in Lebanon. The form is available online through the link, at the check-in counters and on board. Passengers must present a copy of the completed form to the medical team of the Ministry of Public Health upon arrival at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport.

Effective 31 July, all passengers, except children below 12 years old and personnel of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), must have a printed negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate before they are allowed to fly. Electronic test results are not accepted.

The test must be conducted in a lab certified by the country's local authorities not more than 96 hours before arrival in Lebanon. The test result certificate must be in Arabic, English or French and presented at the check-in counter.

Passengers travelling from Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo must take the PCR test only at the following medical centres and institutions.

Egypt

• Ain Shams Specialised Hospital
• Ain Shams University Prime Speed Medical
• Alexandria University – Faculty of Medicine Hospitals
• Central Health Laboratories (El-Sheikh Rihan Street Cairo)
• Kasr ElAini Teaching Hospital
• Prime Speed Medical – American University of Cairo (AUC)

Democratic Republic of the Congo

• INRB
• CMK

Payment for a test on arrival

All passengers aged over 12 years, except UNIFIL personnel, travelling to Lebanon from any destination must undergo a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival. The cost of the test is USD 50 and will be collected as part of your fare for all passengers. Passengers must remain in self-isolation in Lebanon until their results are released, which will be within 48 hours of arrival.

Passengers travelling from Iraq and African countries (except Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Republic of Central Africa, Ghana, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco) must have a prepaid booking for 48 hours in one of the following Hotel designated by the Ministry of Tourism at a discounted rate:

• Lancaster Hotels Group
• Radisson Blu Martinez Hotel
• Golden Tulip Hotel

Passengers who do not have a booking in one of the above listed hotels will not be accepted on flights to Lebanon. 

Passengers must remain at their hotel while waiting for the test result, which should be given within 48 hours. After which they must home quarantine for 72 hours subject to another COVID-19 PCR test.

Passengers from the Ivory Coast are exempt from the hotel booking requirement if they hold a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate for a test conducted within 96 hours of arrival in Lebanon. The test result must be endorsed by the Lebanese Embassy in Ivory Coast.

Arriving passengers who receive a positive COVID-19 PCR test result must follow the directives of the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon until they recover.

Passengers who are travelling outside of Lebanon with a return flight within one week are not required to take the COVID-19 PCR test at their destination but will be subject to a test on arrival.

Syrian nationals who hold a valid resident permit from any country are eligible for a 15-day visa on arrival if they can provide the address of their accommodation while in Lebanon, return onward tickets and proof that they have enough funds to cover their stay.

Syrian nationals coming for a visit to Lebanon should have at least USD 2,000 and a valid hotel booking. Their visa will be granted as per the duration of their prebooked hotel stay.

Syrian nationals transiting through Lebanon to cross-border or with any other airline must hold a printed negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate issued not more than 96 hours before arrival in Lebanon. The certificate must be in Arabic, English or French. Foreign passengers transiting to Syria must hold a pre-approval letter from Syrian authorities (except members of the international organisations and diplomatic delegations working in Syria) and a printed negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate issued not more than 96 hours before arrival in Lebanon. The certificate must be in Arabic, English or French.

Travel to Kuwait in Covid19 era

 Travel to Kuwait in Covid19 era 

All Kuwaiti citizens travelling from Kuwait must have active medical insurance covering treatment abroad in case of injuries or accidents.

Travel to Kuwait

Effective 1 August, only the following passengers will be allowed to travel to Kuwait.

• Kuwaiti nationals and their first-degree relatives. For first-degree relatives who do not have resident status in Kuwait must present a document proving their relationship with the Kuwaiti national.
• Residents of Kuwait
• GCC nationals

GCC nationals travelling to Kuwait must present a valid passport. Civil ID will not be accepted for travel.

Domestic workers accompanied by GCC citizens must have a valid visa to enter Kuwait. 

Resident permit holders who have left Kuwait on or after 1 September 2019 and have stayed outside Kuwait for more than six months can return provided their resident permit/visa is still valid.

All passengers, except children under 6 years old, must carry an original negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate in English issued by one of the laboratories approved by concerned authorities in Kuwait. The certificate must not be older than 96 hours from the date the test was taken.

Passengers who have taken a COVID-19 PCR test in Kuwait and are eligible to return without restrictions can present the same COVID-19 PCR test certificate provided they return within 96 hours of their test date.

Handbags with wheels or trolley-type handbags are not allowed. 

All passengers should install and update all the required information on the Shlonik app before boarding. They should also have Kuwait – Mosafer installed on their personal devices (smartphones).

All passengers must undergo a 14-day home quarantine on arrival.

For more information please refer to the Ministry of Interior and Kuwait Civil Aviation website

The visa on arrival facility is currently not available.

All nationalities who have a valid Residence Permit (valid civil ID) are allowed to enter Kuwait if they have not visited the following countries and territories within 14 days of their arrival. 

Afghanistan

Armenia

Bangladesh

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Brazil

Chile

China

Colombia

Dominican Republic

Egypt

Hong Kong

India

Indonesia

Iran

Iraq

Italy

Kosovo

Lebanon

Mexico

Moldova

Montenegro

Nepal

North Macedonia 

Pakistan

Panama

Peru

Philippines

Serbia

Singapore

Spain

Sri Lanka

Syria

First degree relatives of Kuwaiti nationals who are residents of Kuwait and have documents proving their relationship with the Kuwaiti national and are travelling from any of the 31 restricted countries are allowed to travel to Kuwait./

Domestic staff of Kuwaiti nationals who are accompanying their sponsor and hold a valid resident permit are also allowed to travel to Kuwait from the 31 restricted countries.

Travel to Iraq in Covid19 era

 Travel to Iraq in Covid19 era

It is mandatory to wear facial masks throughout Baghdad (BGW) and Basra (BSR) airports. All staff and passengers will be subject to thermal scanning and any passenger who shows symptoms of flu will not be allowed to check-in. They will then be taken to a medical centre for further testing.

Travel to Iraq:

All passengers travelling to Iraq must carry a negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate. The test result must be issued not more than 72 hours before departure.

Travel from Iraq

Passengers travelling to Dubai, including passengers with a connecting flight, must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate. Bring an official printed certificate – SMS and digital certificates are not accepted. The test must be taken not more than 96 hours before departure at laboratories or health clinics approved by the Ministry of Health.

Travel to Jordon in Covid19 era

 Travel to Jordon in Covid19 era

• All arriving passengers must complete the requirements on the Visit Jordan website and pay the charges for hotel accommodation, COVID-19 PCR testing and transportation from airport to quarantine sites.
• Passengers must enter their flight details on the website.
• Upon completing payment, passengers will receive a QR code as approval for travel.
• All passengers, except children below 5 years old, must present a negative certificate for a COVID-19 PCR test conducted within 120 hours of departure.
• Passengers will undergo a second COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival.
• Passengers must submit a Passenger Health Declaration and Locator form.
• The QR code, COVID-19 PCR test certificate and health forms must be presented at check-in for verification.
• Passengers coming to Amman for medical treatment can be accepted without a QR code if they carry an official letter of approval for entry issued by NCSCM.
• All arriving passengers will be subject to a mandatory institutional quarantine for 7 days followed by 7 days isolation at home.
• Transfer passengers from outstations across the network can now be accepted through Dubai. The same restrictions apply to all passengers whether originating from Dubai or any other Emirates destination.

Travel to Bahrain in Covid19 era September 2020

Travel to Bahrain in Covid19 era

Entry to Bahrain is restricted to Bahraini citizens, residents, GCC citizens who do not need a visa, passengers eligible to obtain a visa on arrival, passengers with a valid eVisa, diplomats, military personnel, airline crew, or holders of official, service or UN passports.

Visas on arrival are reintroduced for citizens of nationalities that are eligible for it. To check if you are eligible for a visa on arrival or apply for an eVisa, please visit the Bahrain eVisa System.

All passengers must undergo a COVID-19 PCR test (at their own expense) on arrival. Arriving passengers must remain in self-isolation until they receive the result of the COVID-19 PCR test. Any passenger staying in Bahrain for ten (10) days or longer must repeat the COVID-19 PCR test on the tenth day following their arrival in the kingdom.

Travel to Saudi Arabia Sept 2020 update

 Travel to Saudi Arabia

Only passengers who have prior approval from Saudi authorities will be allowed on flights to Dammam (DMM), Jeddah (JED) and Riyadh (RUH).

All passengers must complete the health disclaimer form provided on board and present it on arrival to the Airport Health Control Centre.

The following passengers are allowed to travel to and from Saudi Arabia:

• GCC citizens
• Non-Saudi passengers holding a valid visa (Entry/Exit, Residence and Visit)

Entry allowed to and departure from the Kingdom for citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States as well as non-Saudis who obtain any of the following visas: exit and re-entry, work permit, Iqama (resident permit) or visit. The entry of GCC citizens and non-Saudis into the Kingdom is subject to the preventive health measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. All passengers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued by an accredited laboratory. The test must be conducted within 48 hours of arrival in Saudi Arabia.

Travel from Saudi Arabia

Only passengers who have prior approval from Saudi authorities and are eligible for travel to or transit through Dubai will be allowed on flights from Dammam (DMM), Jeddah (JED) and Riyadh (RUH).

Please refer to the Ministry of Health website for the list of authorised PCR testing centres in Saudi Arabia.