Saudi Authorities Evacuate Kaaba over Coronavirus

The Saudi authorities have decided to evacuate the Grand Mosque of Mecca, which houses the Kaaba over the Coronavirus.

Muslims across the world turn their faces during the five daily prayers to the Kaaba.

This measurement, taken on Thursday, is the first one within decades.

The courtyard of the Kaaba seemed empty as the authorities cleared the surrounding area of that cubic building that centers the spacious mosque.

The visitors, worshipers, and pilgrims were prevented from entering the courtyard in a rare occurrence.

The Saudi authorities justified that decision as a preventive measure to confront the Coronavirus and reduce the chances of infection among the worshipers and visitors.

The live footage broadcast by the channel “The Holy Qur’an” space channel of the Great Mosque of Mecca throughout the day, showed the courtyard almost completely empty.

Only some security men and cleaners were present, with the aim of sterilizing the place, before allowing visitors to return to it later.

Saudi, Arab and Muslim bloggers from around the world traded photos and videos of the courtyard in the color of its white ground.

The floor of the Grand Mosque hardly is seen around the clock and throughout the days of the year with visitors, worshipers, and pilgrims.

The bloggers wrote phrases influenced by the majestic scene in the Holy Mosque.

All of them wished the Mosque to welcome everyone again after sterilizing the place.

They also wish that researchers find medical treatments for the new deadly virus, which has spread in dozens of countries and left more than three thousand deaths.

Also, about one hundred thousand infected, mostly in China, where the virus appeared the first time, about three months ago.

The General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs increased hygiene measures at the Grand Mosque and the   Prophet’s Mosque in Medina during the past few days so that the washing and sterilization times increased.

Saudi Arabia, during the past few days, completely suspended the external and internal Umrah ( a visit to the Grand Mosque throughout the year) and restricted the granting of tourist visas to countries where the disease has spread widely.

Those states include Italy, while the Kingdom conducts medical checks in all its border ports and airports for those coming from abroad.