Umrah visits have been temporarily suspended. According to breaking news, Umrah visits are on hold due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The suspension was announced by Saudi authorities and is a temporary measure taken in response to the global spread of the virus. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the country’s health experts are closely monitoring COVID-19.
Following the latest announcement from Saudi Arabia, Umrah and visits to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi are temporarily suspended because of the novel COVID-19 virus. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the official news agency SPA confirmed that national health institutions and medical teams are tracking the virus closely and coordinating precautionary measures across the country.
2020 Umrah Visits Postponed Due to Coronavirus
2020 Umrah visits have been postponed because of the coronavirus. As the virus continues to affect countries worldwide, Saudi Arabia has decided to suspend planned Umrah pilgrimages and visits to Al-Masjid an-Nabawi until further notice. Authorities said they will support efforts by international organizations, including the World Health Organization, and the preventive measures taken by countries to contain the outbreak.
According to the latest official statements, and following health authorities’ recommendations to limit the virus’s spread, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended entries for people intending to perform Umrah or visit Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. The measures also include restrictions on tourist visa entries from countries where the virus is spreading at dangerous rates. Additionally, some national ID card-based crossings for citizens of Saudi Arabia and Gulf Cooperation Council member states have been temporarily suspended as part of the preventive steps.