Emirates will not fly Umrah pilgrims

Emirates airline said it would no longer carry to Saudi Arabia passengers with Umrah pilgrimage visas or tourists from nearly 2 dozen countries until further notice, in compliance with a Saudi government directive to contain the coronavirus outbreak. Holders of Saudi tourist visas travelling from China, Japan, Italy, Iran, India, Pakistan and a number of other countries will be barred from boarding Emirates flights with Saudi Arabia as the final destination, the airline said. Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended as of Thursday entry to the kingdom for the purpose of Umrah and visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in response to the global coronavirus outbreak. Entry has also been suspended for those coming from countries in which the spread of the virus is a danger, based on health authority criteria. <br/>