Saudi Arabia suspends pilgrimage entry visas

Saudi Arabia suspended visas for pilgrims wishing to visit Mecca over coronavirus fears, the foreign ministry said.

The government is "suspending entry to the Kingdom for the purpose of Umrah and visiting the Prophet's Mosque temporarily", the foreign ministry said in a statement, referring to the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of year, AFP reported.

The foreign ministry said it was also suspending visas for tourists visiting from countries where the new virus is a "danger".