RIYADH – Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended entry of citizens from the Gulf Cooperation Council to the Kingdom’s holy cities of Makkah and Madinah over coronavirus fears, the foreign ministry said in statement. The ministry added that the GCC citizens who have been in the Kingdom for 14 consecutive days and have not shown symptoms of coronavirus are exempt from the ban and they can obtain a permit from the website of the Ministry of Hajj to perform Umrah and visit the holy cities. Saudi Arabia has reiterated that it is closely following developments with regard to the spread of the virus and its repercussions. The precautionary measures, which have been taken, are being reviewed in view of new developments, and additional measures will be taken if the need arises. The decision is on the recommendations of the competent health authorities to apply the highest precautionary standards to detect the virus and prevent its spread locally and globally. The kingdom is keen to provide the maximum degree of protection as well as the application of safety standards to preserve the health of visitors of the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque. – SPA