SINGAPORE, 10 May 2003 — Singapore’s Trade Ministry has asked Saudi Arabia to lift its SARS-related travel ban so the city-state’s Muslims may perform their religious duties, the government said in a statement on Thursday.
The Ministry for Trade and Industry has asked Saudi Ambassador Muhammad Amin Kurdi to ask his government to reconsider the ban so that Singaporeans wishing to visit or to undertake Umrah may do so, the statement said.
Last month, the Saudi Health Ministry said the Kingdom would not receive any visitors from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore or Vietnam until 10 days had passed since the individual had visited one of those places — all affected by SARS.
“Singapore respects the right of the Saudi government to impose the ban to protect its citizens and other pilgrims, but requests the Saudi government to consider lifting the ban as soon as possible,” the statement said.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome, a flu-like disease, has killed more than 500 people worldwide and infected more than 7,000, and air travelers have been instrumental in its spread around the globe.
