Urgent A decision to close the Great Mosque of Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque from after dinner until before dawn to prevent the spread of Corona

Arab Ritual - An official source in the General Presidency of the Sacred Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque announced that it was decided to close the Two Holy Mosques an hour after the evening prayer ended and reopen them one hour before Fajr prayer. Also, the courtyard around the Holy Kaaba and the endeavor between Al-Safa and Marwah will be closed for the duration of the minor pilgrimage, and prayer will be inside the mosque only.

According to the newspaper "Previously," the source indicated that the decision came in accordance with the precautionary health measures recommended by the competent authorities, and given the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of the two holy mosques to prevent the spread of infection, and the necessity of intensifying cleaning and sterilization work in the two holy mosques in non-prayer times.

The decision to temporarily suspend Umrah for citizens and residents includes all residents of the city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, as the forbidden people will not be permitted to enter the Sacred Mosque and the surrounding squares.

It was decided not to allow i'tikaaf and bedding, or to enter food and drinks, and Zamzam water stripes would be closed.

The source added that the precautionary measures include the closure of the old mosque in the Noble Sanctuary, including the honorable kindergarten, and the closure of the Baqi cemetery.