SAUDI ARABIA closes borders: Is the DAKAR rally in question?

Suddenly, new questions arose in connection with Dakar Rally, which will take place in Saudi Arabia from 3 to 15 January 2021. It is Monday (December 21st) Saudi Arabia closes borders and stopped all international air connections. The measures are initially valid for one week.

Because coronavirus mutations more and more countries are cutting off air connections with the UK. Since midnight, for example, Germany completely stopped air traffic against Great Britain. Even outside Europe, more and more countries are coming wants to protect before the introduction of a new mutation. So it is Saudi Arabia announced on Monday that it would close all borders. All international air connections will also be suspended.

Planes with international flights they must not land in Saudi Arabia at least one week. This temporary ban could be extended for another week. A travel ban, of course, can ruin the plans of many Dakar participants, teams and mechanics. For example, our representative in Dakar, Simon Marčič, wanted to get there on December 26th. It is currently unknown whether there are any exceptions to travel restrictions for Dakar participants. Saudi Arabia has set aside large sums of money to organize the famous endurance rally.

In a statement Minister of the Interior writes that international flights are suspended for one week. There is, however, a note that they exist "Special exceptions". Land and sea borders are also being closed for at least a week. In addition, the new regulation stipulates that all people entering from Europe, two weeks in quarantine. This starts on the day of entry. In this quarantine it is necessary every five days perform a test for a new coronavirus.

In contrast to the Europe v Saudi Arabia the third wave did not break out at the beginning of winter. A country with a population of 34 million on average reports about a day 200 positive cases, with a downward trend.