Saudi Arabia imposes temporary ban on Umrah pilgrims over coronavirus fears

After curbing entry of foreigners, Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted a n-compulsory religious pilgrim for its citizens and residents as well in response to deadly coronavirus outbreak on March 4. kingdom hosts Sunni Islam's holiest sites, however, this rare step was reportedly taken to expand its restrictions introduced for Muslim pilgrims from foreign countries making religious trip and also to limit entry of tourists. 

latest measures concern Umrah pilgrim to holy city of Mecca and visits to a site in Medina. state-run ncy quoted Saudi Interior Interior Ministry official said that “ decision will be under constant review” and added that it will be reversed soon. 

kingdom has t put restrictions in place for obligatory and better kwn Hajj pilgrim which will begin at end of July. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has also reportedly confirmed its first case of COVID-19 infection, health ministry confirmed to a state-run ncy. citizen that contracted disease entered Gulf country from Iran via Bahrain and did t confirm his travel itinerary at border checkpoint, confirmed ncy report.  

Read - Saudis Ban Muslim Pilgrim In Mecca Over Fears About Virus

Read - Saudi Arabia Suspends Entry Of Citizens From Gulf Cooperation Council

Denied entry of citizens

In a statement that was published earlier by Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry, country had decided to temporarily suspend entry of all citizens from Gulf Cooperation Council member states to Mecca and Medina. statement also clarified that decision will exclude all citizens from Gulf Cooperation Council member states that were already in Saudi Arabia for more than 14 continuous days and didn't show any symptoms of vel coronavirus. 

First detected in city of Wuhan, in Hubei Province of China, virus outbreak has w spread across more than 70 countries since December 2019. total number of confirmed cases within China has reportedly hit 80,282 and more than 94,000 worldwide. According to reports, death toll in China has also surpassed 2,900 and National Health Commission also confirmed more than 119 new cases. death toll due to deadly virus across world also mounted to 3,221. 

Read - Pilgrims Continue To Worship At Mecca In Saudi Arabia Despite Coronavirus Fears

Read - WWE Super ShowDown: Bayley Becomes First Women's Champion To Defend Title In Saudi Arabia