Saudi Arabia imposes travel restrictions to holy land over coronavirus months ahead of hajj pilgrimage

Simon Ateba

Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa | + posts

Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa. Simon covers President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. government, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington D.C. and New York City.

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Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday it was imposing travel restrictions on foreign nationals to the holy land out of concern over the spread of the coronavirus.

Saudi Arabia said it will block foreigners from traveling to Mecca and the Kaaba.

The Kaaba is the cube-shaped structure at the center of the annual hajj pilgrimage.

The Associated Press quoted Saudi authorities as saying that the travel limits also apply to the Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina.

AP said Saudi officials have halted entry to the kingdom by those with tourist visas from countries affected by coronavirus.

Fox News noted that “The efforts to shield Islam’s holiest sites come months ahead of the annual hajj, which will begin in July. The number of pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia who attend the event can reach 2 million or more”.