Saudi Arabia has temporarily banned entry of foreign nationals for the purpose of Umrah in Mecca or visit to the mosque of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in Medina as part of a raft of precautionary measures to keep coronavirus disease out of the Kingdom.
Riyadh will also deny entry to foreigners having a Saudi tourist visa from countries with confirmed coronavirus outbreaks, according to criteria established by Saudi health authorities.
“Saudi Arabia stresses that these measures are temporary and subject to continuous evaluation by the relevant authorities,” according to a Saudi Press agency report.
Millions of Muslim pilgrims from around the world visit the two holiest places in Islam as visit Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah with Tawaf at Masjid al Haram in Mecca, and pay their respects at Roza Rasool inside Masjid e Nabvi in Medina.
“Saudi Arabia renews its support for all international measures to limit the spread of this virus, and urges its citizens to exercise caution before traveling to countries experiencing Coronavirus outbreaks,” the report added, citing recommendations and the foreign ministry.
Masjid e Nabvi, Image: Najamuddin Shahwani,/ Wikimedia
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the relevant health authorities in Saudi Arabia have followed the developments related to the spread of the new Coronavirus, known as COVID-19, and have adopted several temporary, precautionary measures affecting travel to and from the Kingdom.
“The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms the Kingdom’s resolve in combatting the spread of the virus through the relevant health authorities, by applying international standards, and by supporting the efforts of countries and international organizations in their efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, especially the World Health Organization (WHO).”
