[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Saudi Arabian government has decided to block the Islamic holiest site pilgrimage to Mecca in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
According to the AP News and others on the 27th (local time), the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release, "Saudi Arabia is repeatedly renewing its support for all international measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and is urging its citizens to exercise caution before visiting areas where COVID-19 has occurred."
To visit Mecca, a separate visa is required. Ahead of the regular pilgrimage (Hajj) scheduled for late July, Saudi Arabia aims to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by blocking Muslims from visiting Mecca for the irregular pilgrimage (Umrah).
The Saudi government also announced a ban on visiting the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, another pilgrimage site, along with Mecca. Entry for tourists from countries where COVID-19 has broken out is also prohibited, and citizens are advised to avoid visiting these outbreak countries if possible. Additionally, Saudi nationals and citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will no longer be able to use national ID cards to travel to and from Saudi Arabia.
So far, there have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia. However, with the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Iran recently, Middle Eastern countries are on high alert. As of midnight on the 26th, Iran reported 139 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths.
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