The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) decided on Wednesday to suspend Umrah pilgrimage to Makkah for its citizens and residents in response to the coronavirus outbreak, according to the state-run news agency SPA.
The Kingdom has also previously placed a temporary ban on Umrah pilgrims in an attempt to ensure public safety by preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
Most foreign pilgrims often visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah before or after the completion of their religious duties in Makkah, this has also been halted.
It was one of a number of precautionary restrictions announced last week as health authorities in the Kingdom closely monitor the spread of the virus. Tourist-visa holders from countries judged to pose a particularly high risk of spreading the virus will also be denied entry.
The Egyptian Dar Al-Iftaa also said Saudi Arabia’s decision to temporarily suspend Umrah visas over the coronavirus outbreak was in accordance with Sharia law.
"The suspension of Umrah visas due to the coronavirus outbreak preserves the lives of pilgrims," it said.
The Kingdom had registered on Monday the first coronavirus case, according to the Health Ministry.
The ministry said that the infected case is a Saudi Arabian man, who came from Iran through Bahrain
The ministry added tests for the COVID-19 virus for the Saudi Arabian were positive.
Earlier, the Tunisian Health Ministry confirmed the first coronavirus case.
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