--- description: Saudi Arabia temporarily halted religious visits that include stops in Mecca and Medina to help prevent the spread of coronavirus into the country. title: Saudi Arabia Suspends Pilgrimages to Mecca in Effort to Stop Coronavirus image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt838584913e18eee4/698a0ab709208f6b6a4165f1/saudi-arabia-mecca-coronavirus.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [COVID-19](/tag/covid-19/) ## COVID-19 Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Saudi Arabia Suspends Pilgrimages to Mecca and Other Holy Sites in Effort to Stop Coronavirus ## Video: World Health Organization Says COVID-19 Has "Pandemic Potential" [Watch (HLS stream): World Health Organization Says COVID-19 Has "Pandemic Potential"](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/5o0G7fos.m3u8) (1:27)  _Published 2020-02-25. The deadly outbreak of a novel coronavirus has the world on edge, but it has not yet developed into a pandemic, according to the World Health Organization._ by [Zaid Sabah / Bloomberg](/author/bloomberg/) ## Zaid Sabah / Bloomberg Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Feb 27, 2020 4:33 AM CUT  Muslim pilgrims wearing a mask leave after the Friday prayer at Mecca's Grand Mosque, on Oct. 11, 2013 as hundreds of thousands of Muslims have poured into the holy city of Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage. Muslim pilgrims wearing a mask leave after the Friday prayer at Mecca's Grand Mosque, on Oct. 11, 2013 as hundreds of thousands of Muslims have poured into the holy city of Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage.Fayez Nureldine–AFP/Getty Images by [Zaid Sabah / Bloomberg](/author/bloomberg/) ## Zaid Sabah / Bloomberg Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Feb 27, 2020 4:33 AM CUT Saudi Arabia temporarily halted religious visits that include stops in Mecca and Medina, which draw millions of people a year as the Islamic world’s holiest cities, to help prevent the spread of coronavirus into the country. Tourism visa-holders from countries with reported coronavirus infections will also be denied entry, the Saudi embassy in Washington said in an emailed statement, without naming any countries. The steps are temporary and subject to continuous evaluation, according to the statement. _Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter by clicking_ [_on this link_](https://cloud.newsletters.time.com/coronavirus?source=article "undefined")_, and please send any tips, leads, and stories to_ [_virus@time.com_](mailto:virus@time.com "undefined")_._ The government is acting to block the deadly virus as neighboring countries including Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates have flagged dozens of cases. No infections had been reported by Saudi Arabian authorities as of Wednesday. The kingdom is also suspending entry by citizens from Gulf States traveling under their national IDs, as well as travel by Saudis to the Gulf States. Saudis abroad who want to return or Gulf citizens in Saudi Arabia who wish to leave may do so, according to the statement. Mecca, birthplace of the Prophet Mohammad, is home to Islam’s holiest shrine inside the Grand Mosque. 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