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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia is to close its air space to international passenger air travel for at least two weeks due to the mounting COVID-19 crisis.

The dramatic decision, to take effect from Sunday, was announced by the Saudi Interior ministry on Saturday.

Air New Zealand meantime has ordered all international visitors to self-quarantine for 14 days, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Saturday afternoon. The restrictions, which will commence at midnight on Sunday, will include New Zealand citizens.

Saudi Arabia becomes the second Gulf country to ban outright international flights in a bid to slow the spreading or coronavirus. Kuwait earlier this week announced it too was suspending all international travel to and from the country.

The decision by Riyadh followed the reporting of 24 new cases of COVID-19 infections in the country on Friday, taking the total number of cases registered to 86.

The suspension will take effect at 11:00am Sunday, the ministry said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.

The statement said some flights would be exempted but only in “exceptional cases.”

The Kuwaiti government on Thursday announced all international air traffic to and from the country would cease on Friday. The ban has been imposed ‘until further notice.’

The Gulf country is also restricting attendance at restaurants, gymnasiums, and private clubs for at least two weeks.

Major cruise companies too are shutting down, at least temporarily until the situation becomes clearer. Princess, P&O Australia and Carnival have joined Disney Cruises in canceling all cruises, some until further notice, some for ther rest of March, and others for 14 or 30 days.

P&O is shutting down fro a month, commencing Saturday night through to 12 April.

“Cancelling or reducing the length of a cruise is the last thing we would ever want to do but these are extraordinary times and we have no hesitation in putting the health and well-being of our guests, crew and the wider community first,” P&O President Sture Myrmell said Saturday.

(Photo credit: Emirates).