Saudi Arabia Enforces Polio Vaccination Certificate

The Saudi government has introduced a new health advisory, making it mandatory for international travelers from certain countries, including Pakistan, to carry a polio vaccination certificate when entering the kingdom, in an effort to prevent the spread of the polio virus.

According to the advisory, all travelers must have been vaccinated against various diseases, including hemorrhagic fever, and carry a vaccination certificate issued at least 10 days before their flight. Children under one year old are exempt from this requirement. The advisory is available on the Saudi health ministry's website and has been sent to airlines worldwide, warning them of severe penalties for non-compliance.

The move is part of a broader crackdown on travelers from countries with high polio prevalence, including Pakistan, which is one of the last two polio-endemic countries globally. The Saudi government has made a polio vaccination certificate mandatory for Pakistani citizens, and violators will face severe penalties. Additionally, an indefinite ban on granting visas to people from at least 30 Pakistani cities has been imposed due to an alarming rise in cases of Pakistani nationals involved in crime, begging, and smuggling abroad.

The restrictions and bans have led to a significant decline in visa approvals, affecting thousands of Pakistani travelers and impacting the image of the Pakistani passport, ranked fourth worst in the world. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has clarified that passengers from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique must present a valid polio vaccination certificate, issued at least four weeks prior to their journey, upon entry into the Kingdom.

Travelers from high-risk countries must present a valid polio vaccination certificate, with certificates older than six months not being accepted, to prevent the spread of polio and ensure public health safety in Saudi Arabia.