Saudi Arabia suspends entry for pilgrims over coronavirus
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia on Thursday (Feb 27) suspended visas for pilgrims wishing to visit Mecca over coronavirus fears, the foreign ministry said.
Muslims perform Umrah around the holy Kaaba at the Great Mosque during the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia on Thursday (Feb 27) suspended visas for pilgrims wishing to visit Mecca over coronavirus fears, the foreign ministry said.
The government is "suspending entry to the Kingdom for the purpose of Umrah and visiting the Prophet's Mosque temporarily", the foreign ministry said in a statement, referring to the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of year.
Umrah attracts tens of thousands of devout Muslims from all over the globe each month.
The foreign ministry said it was also suspending visas for tourists visiting from countries where the new virus is a "danger".
Even as the number of fresh cases declines at the epicentre of the disease in China, there has been a sudden increase in parts of Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Iran has emerged as a major hotspot in the region, where 15 people have succumbed to the disease — officially known as Covid-19.
The Gulf states of Kuwait and Bahrain have also announced additional cases this week. AFP
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