Saudi Arabia: Government issues new COVID-19 entry restrictions February 27 /update 4

Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues temporarily COVID-19 related travel bans and restricts pilgrimages in Mecca and Medina on February 27; confirm travel itineraries
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Saudi Arabia: Authorities impose 24-hour curfew in Mecca and Medina April 2 /update 21
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Saudi Arabia: Government confirms 238 COVID-19 cases March 18 /update 15
Saudi Arabia: Government suspends all international travel for two weeks starting March 15 /update 14
Saudi Arabia: Government suspends travel to the EU and other countries March 12 /update 13
Saudi Arabia: Authorities extend travel suspension to five other countries March 9 /update 12
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Saudi Arabia: Government includes Saudi citizens in Mecca travel ban March 4 /update 9
Saudi Arabia: New entry restrictions for GCC citizens and residents March 3 /update 8
Saudi Arabia: Health Ministry reports first case of COVID-19 in country March 2 /update 7
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Saudi Arabia: Government halts visas for tourists from affected countries amid COVID-19 outbreak February 28 /update 5
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Saudi Arabia: Government suspends travel to China for citizens and residents February 6 /update 2
Saudi Arabia: Saudia suspends flights to China February 2 /update 1
Event
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced several measures on Thursday, February 27, aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) to the Kingdom. Officials are temporarily suspending entry to the Kingdom for individuals with tourist visas from countries with confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks according to criteria established by Saudi health authorities. Moreover, MOFA announced the temporary suspension of both the Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca and all visits to Al Masjid an Nabawi in Medina.
Health officials have not confirmed any cases of COVID-19 in the Kingdom as of February 27. However, further international spread of the virus is expected in the coming days and weeks.
Context
The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.
Cases of the virus have been confirmed in more than 30 countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On February 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak is a "very grave threat."
Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.
Advice
Potentially impacted travelers are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel itineraries, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.
To reduce the general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide the following measures:
- Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
- When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue - throw tissue away immediately and wash hands
- If you have fever, cough, and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider
- Adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments
In the case that symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness emerge either during or after travel, travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. Travelers returning from China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran who develop symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to avoid potential spread of the disease.
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