Saudi Arabia launches system to refund Umrah fees as ban on foreigners still in place

Kingdom confirms no recorded cases of coronavirus

A police vehicle disinfects streets against coronavirus in Tehran, Iran. AP Photo

Pedestrians wearing face masks cross a street in northern Tehran, Iran. AP Photo

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Students wear masks amid concerns about the new coronavirus during their graduation ceremony at Koyo Senior High School in Nagoya, Japan. Reuters

South Korean soldiers wearing protective gear walk on a street in front of Seoul's city hall. Reuters

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Saudi Arabia on Monday launched an electronic service to refund Umrah fees after entry to pilgrims was suspended last week amid fears of a coronavirus outbreak.

The kingdom confirmed it had no cases of the virus as fears surrounding the outbreak grew in the region.

The refunds will be made electronically through Umrah agents in the pilgrims’ respective countries, Saudi Arabia's state news agency said.

The country, which is home to Islam's two holiest sites, announced on Thursday that it would be imposing a ban on foreigners coming to the kingdom for the Umrah pilgrimage, which can take place at any time of the year.

The move is a first for Saudi Arabia, where religious sites even remained open during the 1918 flu epidemic that killed tens of millions worldwide.

It also placed a ban on tourists from at least 25 countries where the virus has been found.

They include China, Italy, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Kazakhstan.

Officials in the kingdom say the ban is temporary, although no confirmed date has been given for lifting the restrictions.

Concerns for the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah at the end of July have arisen, which could be interrupted if the virus continues to spread.

The kingdom's health ministry spokesman Mohammed Abdelali told a news conference that 25 hospitals have been prepared to handle any cases that might be detected in the country.

Mr Abdelali said that 2,200 hospital beds were set aside for quarantine requirements, although Saudi Arabia has not recorded any cases of the virus.

Other Gulf states, including the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar have reported cases.

These are linked to visits to Iran or involve individuals who have came into contact with people that were there recently.

The coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has hit worldwide and infected more than 89,000 people in almost 60 countries.

Iran has reported over 66 deaths from the virus, the highest number outside China.