Saudi Arabia authorities have suspended flights  coming from Nigeria into the Kingdom over concerns of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia confirmed the development in a circular issued on Wednesday, and signed by Assistant President for Economic Policy and Air Transport, Dr Faisal Al Sugair.

The circular dated 8th of December 2021, and number 27682/5, was addressed to all airlines operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It said “all flights coming from Nigeria are suspended except for those who have spent a period of not less than 14 fourteen days in another country from which they are allowed to come.”

The circular further warned the airline that “failure to comply is an explicit violation of the Government of Saudi Arabia’s orders.”

The development came a few days after Canada, United Kingdom extended a travel ban to travellers from Nigeria.

Saudi Arabia recorded her index case of Omiron from a passenger returning from North Africa.