After 3 Years, Qatari Drivers Cross Into Saudi Arabia

Qatari drivers crossed into Saudi Arabia for the first time in three years. The land border opened over the weekend, and traffic arrived to the Abu Samra-Salwa crossing on Saturday, days after a resolution to end the conflict between Qatar and a Saudi-led coalition of Arab countries was signed at the Gulf Cooperation Council’s annual summit.

Saudis wishing to cross into Saudi Arabia must present a negative coronavirus test that is no more than 72 hours old, take a second test at the border, and agree to isolate for a week. Qataris planning to visit Saudi Arabia must have a hotel quarantine reservation for the day that they are scheduled to return. The Qataris also must present a negative test for the coronavirus, take a test at the border and quarantine for a week in Saudi Arabia.

No flights have as yet taken place between Qatar and the four Arab coalition states. Saudia, the kingdom’s national carrier, announced it would resume flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Doha on Monday. Qatar Airways said it would resume flights to Riyadh on Monday.