COVID-19 update: Saudi Arabia asks Hajj pilgrims to delay bookings

Saudi Arabia has asked Hajj pilgrims to delay bookings because of the uncertainty over COVID-19 pandemic.

This February, Saudi Arabia had abruptly stopped travel to the holiest sites in Islam over coronavirus fears, as the Middle East recorded more than 220 confirmed cases.

Saudi Arabia had halted travel just months before the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The exceptional decision by Saudi Arabia blocks foreigners from reaching the holy city of Mecca and the Kaaba. They also suspended travel to Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina.

The pronouncement specified the level of concern about the outbreak and how potentially it’s spreading into Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi foreign ministry had said, “Saudi Arabia renews its support for all international measures to limit the spread of this virus and urges its citizens to exercise caution before traveling to countries experiencing coronavirus outbreaks” in a statement announcing the decision.

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