Hajj minister tells Muslims to delay plans

A senior Saudi official urged more than 1 million Muslims intending to travel to Islam's holiest sites to perform the Hajj to delay making plans this year due to the new coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at Mecca on Tuesday, Muhammad Saleh bin Taher Banten, Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister said that "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is prepared to secure the safety of all Muslims and nationals."

The comments suggested the pilgrimage could be cancelled.

In February, the Kingdom took the extraordinary decision to close off the holy cities of Mecca and Medina to foreigners over the virus, a step which wasn't taken even during the 1918 flu epidemic that killed tens of millions worldwide.

Restrictions have tightened in the Kingdom as it grapples with over 1,500 confirmed cases of the new virus, it has reported 10 deaths.

The Middle East has more than 71,000 confirmed cases of the virus, most of those in Iran, and over 3,300 deaths.

Saudi Arabia has barred people from entering or exiting three major cities, including Mecca and Medina, and imposed a nighttime curfew across the country.

Like other countries around the world and in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has suspended all inbound and outbound commercial flights.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.