Belarus has temporarily banned most of its citizens from leaving, including many foreign residency permit holders, writes BBC.

There are some exceptions, such as for Belarusian civil servants on official trips and state transport staff.

The State Border Committee"s tightening of the rules follows international outrage over Belarus"s recent diversion of a Ryanair flight and arrest of a top dissident and his girlfriend on board.

Many dissidents have left Belarus since a disputed election last year.

In its statement on the Telegram messaging service, the border committee says it has received "many requests to leave Belarus on the strength of residence permits [issued] by foreign countries".

Only those with permanent residence in foreign countries - not temporary - are allowed to leave Belarus now, it says. The border committee blamed the measures on the coronavirus pandemic.