Observer Report
Riyadh/Karachi
Saudi Arabia on Thursday placed an immediate ban on Umrah pilgrims travelling from the countries where coronavirus cases have been confirmed including Pakistan.
According to sources, the ban has also been placed on those travelling to the Kingdom on a visit visa. The move from the Saudi government follows the confirmation of two coronavirus cases in Pakistan on Wednesday evening.
All airlines have been directed to inform their passengers to wait for further orders. The government is “suspending entry to the Kingdom for the purpose of Umrah and visiting the Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque temporarily”, the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement.
Umrah attracts tens of thousands of Muslims from all over the globe each month. The foreign ministry said it was also suspending visas for tourists visiting from countries where the new virus is a “danger”.
In addition to the temporary Umrah ban, the Saudi government will also impose a similar ban on tourist-visa holders from “countries judged to pose a particularly high risk of spreading the virus”.
A statement from the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said that Pakistanis who had permission and permanent residence of Saudi Arabia could travel to the country. However, those who wish to travel for Umrah and/or on tourist visas will not be allowed to go to Saudi Arabia “with immediate effect”, said the PIA.
Meanwhile, several pilgrims were offloaded by Pakistan International Airlines and other private airlines on Thursday.
The passengers were offloaded from the flights at various airports of the country.
A Jeddah-bound flight of the PIA, PK-747 carrying 133 Umrah pilgrims was stopped from take-off from the Karachi airport. Notices have been placed at the various airports in this context. People in large number are currently present the various airports after being offloaded by the airlines. “Travelers can only travel to Saudi Arabia if they have permission and permanent residence.
