Saudi Arabia reopens Mecca, Medina holy sites after coronavirus closure - state TV


  • World
  • Friday, 06 Mar 2020

FILE PHOTO: Cleaners wear protective face masks, following the outbreak of the coronavirus, as they swipe the floor at the Kaaba in the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia March 3, 2020. REUTERS/Ganoo Essa

CAIRO (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia reopened two of the most holy religious sites in Islam, Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca and Al-Masjid al Nabawy in Medina, after they were closed for sterilization to halt the spread of the new coronavirus, state TV Al-Ekhbariya reported on Friday.

Saudi Arabia closed the sites to foreign pilgrims and traditional tourists from some 25 countries to stop the spread of the virus. It also said that citizens and residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries wishing to enter must wait 14 days after returning from outside the region.

Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.73/month

Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.63/month

Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Clashes in Colombia between guerrilla groups leave 27 dead, sources say
Chile declares state of catastrophe as wildfires kill 16, force thousands to flee
Syrian forces enter outskirts of Raqqa, advance deeper into the US backed, Kurdish controlled northeast
'Be in no doubt' EU will retaliate to any new US tariffs, Ireland says
Uganda partially restores internet after ageing president wins seventh term
Libya's security authorities free more than 200 migrants from 'secret prison', two security sources say
World markets face fresh jolt as Trump vows tariffs on Europe over Greenland
EU states condemn Trump tariff threats, consider countermeasures
Greenland welcomes European response to Trump's tariffs
Scottish first minister says a May majority means new independence push

Others Also Read