Saudi Arabia suspends entry for Umrah pilgrimage over coronavirus fears

Arab News ^ | February 27, 2020 | Staff

[C19fan]

Saudi Arabia has placed a temporary ban on Umrah pilgrims in an attempt to ensure public safety by preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

Most foreign pilgrims often visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah before or after the completion of their religious duties in Makkah, this has also been halted.

It is one of a number of precautionary restrictions announced early on Thursday as health authorities in the Kingdom closely monitor the spread of the virus. Tourist-visa holders from countries judged to pose a particularly high risk of spreading the virus will also be denied entry.

[C19fan]

Umrah is when a Muslim makes a pilgrimage to Mecca outside the annual Hajj period. The Hajj this year starts on July 28.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Can you imagine 8 million coughing Muslims milling around that friggin’ rock?

The Saudis will be damned if they block the hajj, and damned if they let it go on and become the focal point for an epidemic.

[C19fan]

Can’t think of a worse place to be in late July baking in 110 degree heat, and surrounded by 2 - 3 MM people.

[allendale]

Doubt the Saudis and the other Arabian tribes have much vulnerability to COVID-!( infection. Unlike Iran, the Silk Road did not transverse Arabia and the Mongols did not venture into the Arabian deserts. Most Arabs are not likely to have the genetic susceptibility that results in severe illness and death. Nor do Africans or Caucasians. Unfortunately genetic Asians seem to have genetic susceptibility to severe COVID-19 induced disease. BTW the area in Italy that has suffered the big outbreak has numerous Chinese immigrants and “guest workers” in their garment industry.

[Vigilanteman]

Given those factors combined with the natural belligerence of adherence to the "religion of peace", one can understand why hundreds of trampling death results from something as simple as some of the crowds stopping to enjoy cool air in some of the air conditioned tunnels in the area.

Episcopalians would shout something like "People, can we please keep moving?" rather than trampling their coreligionists to death.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Think of the mass religious ecstasy.

If you believe in the emotional infectiousness of crowd vibes, or the contact high... I bet there’s more excitement there than at a Trump rally. A misplaced frenzy, but a very emotional place, nonetheless.