WHO chief wishes blessed Eid and praises Saudi Arabia

World Health Organization director general on Thursday praised Saudi Arabia for measures put in place during this year's hajj to ensure safety of pilgrim amid coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Tedros ham Ghebreyesus described it as a "powerful demonstration of kinds of measures that countries can and must take to apt to new rmal."

Saudi Health Ministry said re have been cases of COVID-19 illness among this year's pilgrims.

Government precautions included testing pilgrims for virus, monitoring ir movement with electronic wristbands and requiring m to quarantine before and after.

Pilgrims were selected after applying through an online portal, and all h to be between 20 and 50 years of .