Riyadh, Feb 27 (TIWN) Saudi Arabia authorities on Thursday have temporarily suspended entry for people planning to visit the Kingdom for 'Umrah' (Pilgrimage) or for visiting the Prophet's mosque in Medina over fears of the deadly coronavirus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The kingdom, which hosts millions of pilgrims every year in the cities of Mecca and Medina, also suspended visas for tourists from countries with reported infections as fears of a pandemic deepen.  Saudi Arabia, which so far has reported no cases of the virus but has expressed alarm over its spread in neighbouring countries, said the suspensions were temporary. It provided no timeframe for when they will be lifted.