Saudi Arabia urges Muslims to postpone plans for pilgrimage until the COVID-19 outbreak can be controlled. The Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mohammed Saleh Benten, said Saudi Arabia was ready to accept the pilgrims and umrah but in the wake of the worldwide crisis of the COVID-19 outbreak, the government wanted to protect the health of Muslims.

"Therefore, we ask Muslims in all countries to wait before performing the pilgrimage until the situation is clear," he told Al-Ekhbariya television station in the country.

In addition to delaying the haj and umrah, Saudi Arabia also stopped all international flights and blocked entry and exit movements to several cities, including Mecca and Medina.

Last month, Saudi Arabia halted its Muslim pilgrimage for the whole year due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

About 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world usually gather in Makkah and Medina for worship scheduled to begin at the end of July.