Saudi Arabia suspends entry for Umrah pilgrimage

Riyadh: As Saudi Arabia on early Thursday morning enforced a temporary ban on pilgrims coming from abroad to visit Mecca for Umrah in the wake of coronavirus scare, even as over 200 persons were stopped at Kozhikode airport in Kerala from traveling to that country.

More than 120 pilgrims who had arrived at the airport here in the morning were stopped at the checking counter, whereas 87 were allowed to board an aircraft but later directed to deplane.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia authorities on Thursday have temporarily suspended entry for people planning to visit the Kingdom for ‘Umrah’ (Pilgrimage) or for visiting the Prophet’s mosque in Medina.

The Kingdom has also suspended the entry of tourist visa holders coming from countries where the coronavirus was spreading at an accelerated rate, reports the Saudi Gazette citing the statement as saying.

The Ministry said that this precautionary step comes in completion of the efforts taken to provide the utmost protection to the safety of citizens and residents and everyone who intends to come to the Kingdom to perform Umrah or visit the Prophet’s Mosque or for the purpose of tourism.

“This precaution based on the recommendations of the competent health authorities to apply the highest precautionary standards, and take proactive preventive measures to prevent the arrival of the new coronavirus to the Kingdom and its spread,” it added. (IANS)

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