Hyderabad: Umrah pilgrims stranded at RGIA

Shamshabad : Scores of Umrah pilgrims were made to wait for hours at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), following suspension by Saudi Arabian government of entry of tourists and pilgrims from several Asian and some European countries over fears of novel coronavirus, after its neighbouring Gulf nations reported spike in cases in the recent days.

According to reports, over hundred Umrah pilgrims were stranded outside the International departure area of RGI Airport at Shamshabad on Thursday morning. "About 160 pilgrims from four tour operators returned to their home as Saudi government cancelled Umrah pilgrims as part of the safety measures in the wake of Coronavirus," informed a visitor to Airport.

Pilgrims are from Hyderabad, Mahboobnagar, Gulbarga, Vijaywada, Kurnool being served by scores of private travel agencies were about to board flights of Saudi Airlines, Oman Airlines, Etehaad Airlines and Emirates. The Umrah Ministry said the Umrah pilgrims who had obtained visas can contact on Telephone number 00966920002814.

According to local authorities, the Ministry of the Interior, General Directorate of Passports of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also issued circular temporarily suspending the entry of non-Saudis to the kingdom for the purposes of Umrah and tourist and stopping the issuance of any visas for this purpose. "Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan Afghanistan, Iraq, Philippines, Singapore, Syria , India, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Somal, Vietnam Kazakhstan, Italy, Korea, japan to the Kingdom will not be allowed to enter Jeddah for Umrah or on tourist visa," the circular reads.

"Only Saudi national, Iqama holder & Visit visa will be allowed to enter KSA.

Please don't allow any Umrah & tourist visa passenger from your station to board the flight till further notice," the Ministry asked the local authorities.