The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia decided - in light of the exceptional health considerations that currently exist in some countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf States - to suspend the entry of citizens of the countries of the Council to the cities of Mecca and Medina, temporarily, with the exception of citizens of the countries of the Cooperation Council who have been present in the Kingdom 14 consecutive days without showing signs of infection with the virus so that those who wish to perform Umrah or visit the Prophet’s Mosque through the website of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah “electronic path for Umrah” to obtain a permit during the period of temporary suspension.
The Saudi Press Agency quoted the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that the decision came in response to the statement issued the day before yesterday regarding developments in the spread of the new Corona virus "19-COVID", and based on the recommendations of the health authorities concerned with applying the highest precautionary standards to besiege the virus and prevent its spread locally and globally, Reinforcement of the existing preventive measures to provide the utmost protection and the application of safety standards in order to preserve the health status of pilgrims and the Prophet’s Mosque.
The Ministry affirmed that the Kingdom’s government is closely following developments in the spread of the virus and its repercussions on an ongoing basis, and that the precautionary measures are reviewed according to new developments, and additional measures will be taken if the need arises.