Saudi Arabia reopens Makkah, Madina holy sites after coronavirus closure

Saudi Arabia reopened two of the most holy religious sites in Islam, Al-Haram Mosque in Makkah and Al-Masjid al Nabawy in Madina, after they were closed for sterilization to halt the spread of the new coronavirus, state TV Al-Ekhbariya reported on Friday.

Saudi Arabia closed the sites to foreign pilgrims and traditional tourists from some 25 countries to stop the spread of the virus. It also said that citizens and residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries wishing to enter must wait 14 days after returning from outside the region.

Saudi Arabia has reported five cases of the coronavirus.

It was not clear from the Al-Ekhbariya report if pilgrims would be allowed to return to the sites.