Saudi Arabia has announced that only its citizens and residents will perform Hajj this year in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Saudi Ministries of Health and Hajj said that a total of 60,000 pilgrims will be allowed to perform the pilgrimage this year.

The Saudi authorities said the decision is based on the Kingdom's constant keenness to enable the maximum numbers of pilgrims at the Grand Mosque (Masjidil Haraam) and the Prophet's Mosque (Masjid e Nabvi) to perform the Islamic rituals of Hajj and Umrah and that the Saudi government puts human health and safety first.