WHO chief wishes blessed Eid and praises Saudi Arabia

The World Health Organization director general on Thursday praised Saudi Arabia for the measures put in place during this year's hajj to ensure the safety of the pilgrimage amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described it as a "powerful demonstration of the kinds of measures that countries can and must take to adapt to the new normal."

The Saudi Health Ministry said there have been no cases of the COVID-19 illness among this year's pilgrims.

Government precautions included testing pilgrims for the virus, monitoring their movement with electronic wristbands and requiring them to quarantine before and after.

Pilgrims were selected after applying through an online portal, and all had to be between 20 and 50 years of age.