A statement from Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) says laboratory tests show no Coronavirus case in the Kingdom, The DEFENDER gathered on Sunday.
According to extracts from the statement posted on Haramain Sharifain platform, about 105,000 Muslims seeking to perform Umrah have left Saudi Arabia after temporarily suspended entry to Makkah and Madinah on Thursday.
We gathered further that there were 469,000 pilgrims and visitors as at the time of issuing the decision to stop the visas.
In the meantime, 25 hospitals are prepared to handle coronavirus cases in the country, the statement said.
The Ministry said, “The automated system for issuing Umrah visas has been suspended.”
In a related development, a message posted by Haramain Sharifain informed that the Saudi Arabia authorities had promised to refund pilgrims affected by the travel ban with their money. To this end, it asked them to seek their travel agencies for same.
“Saudi Arabia will refund Umrah fees and service charges of pilgrims affected by the Umrah ban.
“Contact your local Travel Agent to request a refund of visa fees and service charges through an electronic mechanism.
“Further enquiries, contact the service center at the ministry; phone number 00966-920002814 and Email ID mohcc@haj.gov.sa”, the Haramain Sharifain said in the post picked by The DEFENDER on Sunday that is Yaom al-Ahad.
