Saudi Arabia imposes ban on travelers from Pakistan over Coronavirus fears

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 airport sources, Saudi Arabia has also placed ban 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 had directed to inform their passengers to wait for further orders.

The government suspends entry to the Kingdom for the purpose of Umrah and visiting the Prophet’s Mosque temporarily”, the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement.

#Statement | Proactive Preventive Measures to Prevent the Arrival of the New Coronavirus (#COVID19) to the Kingdom pic.twitter.com/fuBAWq19Du

— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) February 26, 2020

Umrah attracts tens of thousands of Muslims from all over the globe each month.

The foreign ministry said it also suspended visas for tourists visiting from countries where the new virus is a “danger”.

Data from the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry show that as of last December, Indonesia contributed the second-highest number of umrah pilgrims with 443,879 arrivals, just below Pakistan with 495,270.

The country welcomes nearly 7 million Umrah pilgrims every year, most of whom arrive at airports in Jeddah and Madinah.

Pakistan confirms first two cases of coronavirus

On Wednesday, Pakistan reported its first two cases of coronavirus, Special Assistant to PM on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza confirmed.

“I can confirm first two cases of coronavirus in Pakistan. Both cases are being taken care of according to clinical standard protocols & both of them are stable,” Dr. Mirza wrote on Twitter.

He also noted that there was “no need to panic [as] things are under control”.

220/ I can confirm first two cases of corona virus in Pakistan. Both cases are being taken care of according to clinical standard protocols & both of them are stable. No need to panic, things are under control. I will hold press conf tomorrow on return from Taftan.

— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) February 26, 2020

The second patient, identified in Islamabad, shifted to quarantine in Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

Moreover, all schools will remain closed on February 27 and 28 in Sindh.

According to the details, Provincial Education Minister Saeed Ghani said in a tweet:

“Sindh Govt has decided to close all the schools of province for Thursday & Friday (27th & 28th Feb).”

Sindh Govt has decided to close all the schools of province for Thursday & Friday (27th & 28th Feb).@BBhuttoZardari @MuradAliShahPPP

— Senator Saeed Ghani (@SaeedGhani1) February 26, 2020

Coronavirus which has now spread to 18 countries across the globe, has led to a steep increase in the demand for standard N-95 Masks.

Amid Coronavirus outbreak Pakistan running out of masks and owing to which the cost N-95 mask has been surged by thousand percent.

Profiteers are running out of control as some Business-minded sick people have bought the N-95 masks and stocked them up so that when an opportunity discloses, they will make a good fortune out of it.