Saudi Arabia to bar foreign arrivals from attending Hajj

Saudi Arabia said on Monday it will bar arrivals from abroad from attending Hajj this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, allowing only a limited number of Saudi citizens and residents to make the pilgrimage with social distancing measures in place.

The announcement means this will be the first year in modern times that Muslims from around the world not be allowed to make the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which all Muslims aim to perform at least once in their lifetime.

The kingdom halted international passenger flights in March and asked Muslims in March to put Hajj plans on hold until further notice. International arrivals for Umrah pilgrimages have also been suspended until further notice.

"This decision is taken to ensure Hajj is performed in a safe manner from a public health perspective while observing all preventative measures and the necessary social distancing protocols to protect human beings from the risks associated with this pandemic and in accordance with the teachings of Islam in preserving the lives of human beings," the ministry that oversees pilgrimages said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia has 161,005 cases of COVID-19, with 1,307 deaths, following a rise in new infections over the past two weeks. The country now has the most confirmed cases in the Middle East.