Saudi Arabia extended a suspension of pilgrimages by foreigners to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina to Saudi citizens and residents due to concerns about the coronavirus, state news agency SPA reported.
Riyadh reported its first case of the coronavirus on Monday and a second case on Wednesday, both from nationals who had not disclosed their visits to Iran when returning to the kingdom.
"Based on the recommendations of the committee appointed to monitor coronavirus ... it has been decided to suspend umrah for citizens and residents in the kingdom," SPA said, citing an official source in the Saudi interior ministry.