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Saudi Arabia Suspends Entry from 20 Countries from Feb. 3 over Pandemic

Saudi Arabia has witnessed a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia has witnessed a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Suspends Entry from 20 Countries from Feb. 3 over Pandemic

Saudi Arabia has witnessed a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia has witnessed a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday suspended entry to the Kingdom from 20 countries, with the exception of diplomats, Saudi citizens, medical practitioners and their families, to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The temporary ban, effective from Feb. 3, includes people arriving from the United Arab Emirates, Germany, the United States, Britain, South Africa, France, Egypt, Lebanon, India and Pakistan, announced an official source at the Interior Ministry.

The ban also included Argentina, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Brazil, Portugal, Turkey, Switzerland and Japan.

Health Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah had warned on Sunday that complacency around coronavirus restrictions had led to a notable increase in daily cases in the Kingdom.

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Two Holy Mosques Welcome Over 122 Million Visitors During Ramadan

Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
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Two Holy Mosques Welcome Over 122 Million Visitors During Ramadan

Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)
Worshippers are seen at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque said that over 122 million worshippers prayed at the holy site during Ramadan.

A total of 122,286,712 visited, including 16,558,241 performing Umrah, 75,573,928 praying at the Grand Mosque, and 30,154,543 visiting the Prophet's Mosque, it revealed according to the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

To efficiently manage the massive crowds, the authority adopted advanced technology, employing sensor readers at the main entrances of the Grand Mosque.

This technology allows real-time monitoring of crowd flow, improving operational efficiency and crowd management in collaboration with relevant authorities.