Feb 29, 2020
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has announced the temporary suspension of the entry of Gulf nationals to the holy sites of Mecca and Medina as part of the Kingdom’s precautionary measures against the deadly coronavirus.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday that the temporary ban does not cover Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals who have been in the Kingdom for 14 consecutive days without showing signs of coronavirus infection and wish to perform Umrah or visit the Prophet’s Mosque, reports Xinhua news agency.
Such GCC nationals can apply through the website of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to obtain a permit.
The government of Saudi Arabia confirmed that it was closely following developments in the spread of the virus and its repercussions.
It said that the precautionary measures were being reviewed, and additional measures will be taken.
Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday the suspension of visits to the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina and tourist visas for nationals of countries with confirmed coronavirus outbreaks.
The measures were taken after over 220 coronavirus cases were detected in the Middle East. IANS
Union Health Ministry releases new guidelines for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry on Friday released the revised operational guidelines and training module for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) -- which affects about three in 10 people....
Packaged juices harmful, no matter ‘healthy’ branding, warn experts
New Delhi: Packaged juices, even the ones that come with the label “healthy”, are dangerous for health, and are low in nutritional value, warned experts on Tuesday, stressing the need...
Over 200 fall ill after drinking contaminated water in Greater Noida
New Delhi: Over 200 residents of a society in Greater Noida fell ill after allegedly consuming contaminated water. The incident came to light on Monday when numerous residents of the...
Maintain ideal heart rate key for better heart health, say doctors
New Delhi: Heart problems are a worldwide plague but maintaining an ideal heart rate may be key in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) which account for 17.9 million deaths annually, doctors...
Head and neck cancers on the rise in India, youth at key risk: Experts
New Delhi: India is witnessing a significant increase in the incidence of head and neck cancers, with projections estimating 2.1 million new cancer cases by 2040, healthcare experts said on...
What is viral hepatitis and how is it affecting people?
New Delhi: Contaminated food and water are increasing cases of hepatitis in the country, said experts on World Hepatitis Day, on Sunday. World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on...
Unique brain connectivity patterns found in people born blind
New Delhi: People born blind develop unique connectivity patterns in the primary visual cortex, akin to a fingerprint, a new study by Georgetown University neuroscientists reveals. Published in Proceedings of...
Here’s how SARS-CoV-2 virus is worsening kidney injuries post-Covid
New Delhi: The SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, is worsening kidney injuries with protein depositions, according to a study. Researchers from the Capital Medical University and Chifeng...
India reported 908 new Covid cases, 2 deaths between June and July: WHO
New Delhi: India has witnessed 908 new Covid-19 cases, and two deaths between June and July this year, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report on Wednesday. The latest...
Like old hardcover books? They may be dangerous for you, study finds
New Delhi: If you come across brightly coloured, cloth-bound books from the Victorian era, handle them carefully, or avoid them altogether. These books could be hiding toxic dyes that pose...
FSSAI to check microplastic contamination in Indian foods
New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Sunday launched an innovative project to tackle the growing concern of microplastic contamination in food. Microplastics are tiny...
Mpox impacting a broader demographic, warns Lancet report
New Delhi: Monkeypox (Mpox) has once again surged to global attention and unlike the 2022 outbreak, the 2024 outbreak is impacting a broader demographic globally, a latest Lancet report has...
