Saudi Arabia imposes temporary ban on ‘umrah’ pilgrims amid coronavirus concerns

Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary ban on all umrah (minor haj) pilgrims to keep the county safe from the coronavirus.

Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary ban on all umrah (minor haj) pilgrims to keep the county safe from the coronavirus.

As reported by Arab News, the temporary ban was one of several precautionary restrictions announced on Thursday as health authorities in the country observed the latest developments of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

In addition to umrah pilgrims, the Saudi government will also impose a similar ban on tourist-visa holders from “countries judged to pose a particularly high risk of spreading the virus”.

The country welcomes nearly 7 million umrah pilgrims every year, most of whom arrive at airports in Jeddah and Madinah. Data from the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry show that, as of last December, Indonesia contributed the second highest numbe