Saudi Arabia announced the extension of the suspension of flights and the closure of the land and sea borders for an additional week, after it was closed last week due to the emergence of the new coronavirus strain.

The Saudi Press Agency quoted an Interior Ministry official as saying Monday night that the Kingdom would extend the procedures "for another week, with an emphasis on excluding the movement of goods, commodities and supply chains."

The statement indicated that the Kingdom would allow "non-Saudis to leave the kingdom's lands, via flights, in accordance with precautionary measures."

Last week, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the Sultanate of Oman all closed their borders out of fears of the new coronavirus mutation.

The Sultanate of Oman and Kuwait announced that they would resume air traffic Dec. 29 and Jan. 1.

Earlier this month, the Kingdom began a vaccination campaign against the coronavirus, using the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine.

Saudi Arabia is the Gulf country that recorded the largest number of coronavirus cases with more than 362,000, including more than 6,100 deaths.

The kingdom had suspended flights and closed the borders for about six months between March and September, after which it partially lifted the ban. The full lifting was due to take place at the beginning of 2021.