Turkey: Pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia sent to quarantine

(Patria) – Thousands of Turkish citizens returning to the country from pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia were immediately transferred to quarantine upon arrival, where they will spend two weeks as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus.

Saudi Arabia imposed restrictions for foreign nationals on pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina at the beginning of March, and later for its own citizens as well.

The head of the Religious Affairs Directorate in Turkey, Ali Erbas, reported on Saturday that the last 5,300 pilgrims are returning to Turkey and that they will be sent to two-week self-isolation.

However, a day earlier he stated that about 21,000 pilgrims should return to Turkey from Saudi Arabia by March 15, but did not specify whether all would be sent to quarantine.

Turkey, which has only 6 recorded cases of coronavirus infection, has tightened measures to prevent the spread of the virus, closing schools and universities, canceling flights to many countries, while sports matches are held without spectators.

The Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday the closure of bars and nightclubs from Monday, Reuters reports.