Saudi Arabia suspends Umrah for nationals, residents over Coronavirus fears

Maldivian Minister of Islamic Affairs praise Saudi Arabia's decision to suspend Umrah and visiting visas
Maldivian Minister of Islamic Affairs praise Saudi Arabia's decision to suspend Umrah and visiting visas

An official source of the Ministry of Interior has statedthat based on the keenness of the Kingdom's government to support globalefforts and international organizations especially the World HealthOrganization (WHO) to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19),as an extension of its decision to suspend entry for the purposes of Umrahand visit of the Prophet's Mosque temporarily from outside the Kingdom,its decision to suspend entry of tourist visas to people from countries wherethe spread of the novel coronavirus is dangerous, the suspension of the use ofnational identity cards for Saudi and GCC's citizens to and from theKingdom, and based on the recommendation of the committee concerned to followup the developments of the situation of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19),it was decided to suspend Umrah temporarily for citizens and residents in theKingdom, provided that this decision is reviewed continuously and theimplementation of it stops whenever the reasons that called for it are negated.

This preventive decision is among precautionary measuresthat the Kingdom's government has consistently taken to limit the spread of thecoronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic and prevent its access to the TwoHoly Mosques, which are witnessing a permanent and intense flow of humancrowds, which makes the issue of securing these crowds of utmost importance.

It also comes in line with the precautionary measures takenby Saudi authorities to prevent the spread of the virus in the Kingdom and tocomplement the efforts that have been taken, aiming at providing maximumprotection for the safety of citizens and residents.

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