#Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia bans religious pilgrims from visiting Mecca or Medina

Saudi Arabia has banned religious pilgrims from visiting Mecca or Medina to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the Kingdom.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom stated that they had been following developments of the virus for some time. In order to support countries impacted by the virus it said the Kingdom would be implementing 'approved international standards' in the form of a temporary ban on pilgrimages. The measure will raise fears over this year's hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca which begins in July and attracts more than two million worshippers. Completing the hajj at least once in a lifetime is one of the five pillars of Islam, but there is no word on whether the restrictions will still be in place by July. In addition, the umrah pilgrimage - which can be made at any time of year - will be heavily affected, especially because many pilgrims choose to undertake it during Ramadan which starts in April.