Saudi Arabia bans travel to Mecca and Medina because of coronavirus

In an attempt to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, Saudi Arabia halted, Thursday, travel to Islam’s holiest sites months before the start of Hajj pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia’s decision prevents foreigners, visiting the peninsula, from reaching the holy city of Mecca, the Kaaba and Prophet Mohammed’s mosque in medina, reports Al Jazeera.

«Saudi Arabia renews its support for all international measures to limit the spread of this virus and urges its citizens to exercise caution before travelling to countries experiencing coronavirus outbreaks», the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement announcing the decision.

The travel ban comes as 220 coronavirus cases were recorded in the Middle East.