Saudi suspends Umrah visa over Covid-19 outbreak
Saudi Arabia on Thursday suspended visas for pilgrims desperate to visit Makkah over Covid-19 coronavirus fears, the foreign ministry said.
The federal government is "suspending entry to the Kingdom for the purpose of Umrah and visiting the Prophet's Mosque temporarily", the foreign ministry said in a statement, discussing the Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah which can be undertaken anytime of year.
Umrah attracts tens of thousands of devout Muslims from around the world each month.
The foreign ministry said it had been also suspending visas for tourists visiting from countries where in fact the new virus is a "danger".
Even as the quantity of fresh cases declines at the epicentre of the disease in China, there's been a sudden upsurge in elements of Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Iran has emerged as a major hotspot in your community, where 15 persons have succumbed to the condition.
The Gulf states of Kuwait and Bahrain also have announced additional cases this week.
Source: www.theindependentbd.com
