Padang (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia temporarily suspended Umrah services for residents from outside the kingdom in an effort to anticipate the spread of the corona virus.
"There has been a suspension of the entry of non-Saudis into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the purpose of Umrah and other visits as well as the temporary suspension of visa issuance," Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah for Umrah Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz bin Wazzand in a Saudi Arabian Hajj Ministry broadcasters received in Jakarta on Thursday.
"The ministry has also confirmed Umrah companies and foreign agents to cancel any bookings from the time of this announcement until further notice," he said.
He said the policy was taken as part of the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to prevent the entry of COVID-19.
According to the World Health Organization report as of February 25, 2020, globally confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 81,109 with the addition of 871 new cases covering 459 new cases in 37 countries outside China and 412 new cases in China.
Among the countries reporting COVID-19 cases there are Muslim-populated countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Oman, Egypt, and India.
Transleted by: Mutiara Ramadhani
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Saudi Arabia suspends umrah pilgrimage to anticipate spread of COVID-19
Pilgrims surround the Ka'ba while held the Umrah at the Grand Mosque, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (ANTARA / Hanni Sofia)
