Qataris will no longer be able to visit Egypt without a visa

In a statement made on Monday, Egypt's foreign ministry announced that the country will end visa-free entry for Qatari nationals starting July 20, Khaleej Times reported. 

The Qatari Foreign Ministry also confirmed the news in a statement published on its website.

The latest measure taken against Doha amid the >ongoing Qatari crisis, means that the country's nationals will now have to apply for a visa to enter Egypt. 

In a statement on the matter, Egypt's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: 

"It does not make sense to keep making exceptions for Qatar and giving it privileges in light of its current positions." 

However, he also explained that "Qatari nationals with Egyptian mothers, those married to Egyptians, and Qataris studying in Egypt will be exempt from having to apply for a visa." 

The latest move comes just over a week after Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, and the UAE said they >will maintain their blockade on Qatar after criticizing what they called a “negative” response to a list of demands they had sent to the country earlier this month. 

Qatar had handed its official response to the> list of 13 demands to the emir of Kuwait, who has been mediating between Qatar and the four Arab states.

After receiving the response, foreign ministers of all four blockading countries met in Cairo.

Even though no further steps were taken against Doha at the time, Egypt's Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry had hinted that the situation might escalate. 

During a press statement that followed their meeting, Shoukry told reporters that Qatar’s response to the list of demands reflects the fact that it “does not realize the gravity of the situation."

The ongoing blockade on Qatar began on June 5, with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt completely severing ties with the Gulf state.