Update: 1st April 2020
Amid the on-going global crisis, Saudi Arabia had announced bans on international flights and a temporary ban on Umrah to contain the spread of coronavirus. Earlier, the holy cite of Makkah had been temporarily shut down for disinfecting the whole cite.
Later, the Tawaaf came to a halt on March 21 when the government announced extraordinary measures to control the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The authorities also banned congregational prayers in Masjid al-Haram and Masjid al-Nabvi allowing only the staff workers and security guards.
But just recently, the Tawaaf on the Mataaf has finally been resumed allowing only a small gathering at a time.
Tawaaf has resumed on the Mataaf allowing a small gathering of people to perform their ritual. pic.twitter.com/gFyjeG3qFM
— 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@HaramainInfo) March 31, 2020
(Update: 14th March 2020)
According to Gulf News, Saudi Arabia will suspend all international flights for two weeks from Sunday, 15th March 2020. The decision of suspension was made in order to slow down the spread of the coronavirus as per the announcement made on Saturday by the Ministry of Interior.
On Friday, reportedly, 24 new cases of coronavirus infections were reported in the Kingdom, leading the count to 86 cases.
Earlier, as Umrah attracts millions of Muslims from all over the globe, on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saudi Arabia has announced to temporarily suspended religious visits to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. The sudden increase in reported coronavirus cases has shaken the world.
The Saudi government is taking strict actions to stop the virus as neighboring countries including Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates have reported a number of cases. However, no infections have been reported in Saudi Arabia by the authorities so far.
Keeping in mind the safety, the country has also suspended entry for those with a tourist visa from countries with confirmed outbreaks of coronavirus. Adding on to this, Saudi Arabia is also suspending entry by the citizens residing in GCC who are traveling under their national IDs. But for Saudis who are abroad will be able to return home and GCC citizens will also be permitted to return to their countries using their own national IDs.
This is definitely a state of emergency and we can really hope this virus stops from spreading. Let’s pray for this situation to get better.
Saudi Arabia has extended flight and travel bans
The recent coronavirus fears have made Saudi Arabia to extend the ban. Moreover, it has further extended its flights and travel ban for countries including the European Union and 12 other countries after announcing 24 new cases overnight to bring its total to 45, according to media reports.
The temporary ban on Umrah for pilgrims has been extended
On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia airline has extended the ban until 31st March 2020. The airline had mentioned that the ban would be implied on those traveling on Umrah and tourist visa from the country as reports of five virus-infected cases from the country have been confirmed.
Here’s the circular that was issued on Tuesday
What do you think of Saudi Arabia’s decision? Let us know in the comments below.
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