Coronavirus and Hajj/Umrah in 2020
Hajj Ministry Announcement for Hajj 2020
Recently, in response to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the Saudi authorities suspended entry to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This suspension affected all passengers travelling for Umrah as a reactionary attempt to prevent Coronavirus from entering the Kingdom.
Unable to curb the spread of Coronavirus or ease it sufficiently to ensure safe travel for pilgrims, the Hajj Ministry with great difficulty declared Hajj during 2020 will exclude all non-residents of Saudi Arabia.
Please note that this is an unprecedented situation and continues to develop. We are following closely and will act appropriately as and when required. The Saudi authorities have dealt with similar epidemics. In recent years they have dealt with the outbreak of both MERS and SARS in the Kingdom successfully.
We will contact all our customers over the next few days to inform you what to expect.
We ask Allāh to protect us from this pandemic and keep us safe.
Jazāk Allāhu Khayran.
What is Coronavirus?
Coronavirus Covid-19 is a new member of the coronavirus family. Like other coronaviruses, it has come from animals. Many of those initially infected either worked or frequently shopped in the Huanan seafood wholesale market in the centre of the Chinese city. After first emerging in December 2019, in a few months, it has spread across the world.
What are the symptoms this coronavirus causes?
The virus can cause pneumonia—those who have fallen ill suffered coughs, fever and breathing difficulties. Recovery depends on the strength of the immune system. Many of those who have died were already in poor health. Due to it having no initial symptoms, it is difficult to track and control.
Consequently, the Kingdom of Saudi, as with many other cities and countries around the world, they have taken necessary preventative measures.