The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health has banned the issuance of Haj and Umrah visas to Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia because of concerns over the spread of Ebola in the countries.
A Saudi health ministry spokesman, Dr. Khaled Marghalani told the Jeddah-based International Islamic News Agency that his ministry constantly coordinates with the ministries of hajj and foreign affairs to take all necessary measures at borders and airports.
“We have communicated the instructions to the officials of all ports of entry. We have trained our personnel on how to identify and deal with Ebola cases and control virus infection, should it happen,” Dr Marghalani said.
Dr. Hussein Shareef, Undersecretary for Hajj Affairs, said the ministry would take all preventive measures to ensure public health and safety.
The spokesman for the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Khaled Al-Khaibari said there were no direct flights between the Kingdom and the three West African countries except during the Hajj season.
Sierra Leone's Minister of Social Welfare, Moijueh Kaika declined to give an official reaction saying while he had heard it from authorities at the country's embassy in Saudi Arabia, it had not been officially communicated to them yet hence they cannot give an official reaction.
(C) Politico 05/08/14
