In the aftermath of Saudi Arabia's suspension of entry of travelers from 20 countries, UAE airlines have announced temporary restrictions on passengers flights to the Kingdom. On Wednesday, UAE carriers Etihad Airways and Emirates updated their travel policies with effect from 9 pm (Saudi time) of February 3.

Etihad Airways issued an advisory on its official website stating that passengers travelling from these 20 countries - Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Germany, USA, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Pakistan, Brazil, Portugal, United Kingdom, Turkey, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Lebanon, Egypt, India, Japan - will not be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia. Passengers who have been in these 20 countries in the past 14 days will also not be permitted to enter Saudi Arabia.

The notice added that these restrictions do not apply to Saudi nationals and citizens, diplomats, health practitioners and their families.

Saudi Nationals and citizens will have to undergo a mandatory quarantine of seven days on their arrival in the Kingdom. In addition, Saudi nationals who have travelled to any of the restricted countries in the past 14 days will have to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Emirates airline also updated its travel policies on its official website in accordance with the directions by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It noted that the airline will not accept non‑Saudi national passengers on flights from Dubai to Saudi Arabia with immediate effect, until further notice.

"Customers holding tickets with final destinations in Saudi Arabia will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin," the Dubai-based carrier added.

Exceptions have been made for diplomatic passport holders and health practitioners and their families.

Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry on Tuesday announced the suspension of international flights from these countries in a bid to contain the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Kingdom.