Saudi Arabia Suspends Pilgrim Visas Over Coronavirus Fears

The Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministry has announced the suspension of Visas for pilgrims to visit Mecca over fear of the China coronavirus.

The Saudi government disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday by the foreign ministry.

“Suspending entry to the Kingdom for the purpose of Umrah and visiting the Prophet’s Mosque temporarily,” the statement read in part.

Muslim pilgrims around the world including Nigeria travel to Mecca for the religious exercise which can be undertaken at any time of the year.

Nigeria in 2019 alone recorded about 45, 450 pilgrims who went on hajj to the Arab country.

The COVID-19 has hit the Middle East, with Iran recording 15 cases, while Kuwait and Bahrain have recorded more cases, officials said.