Saudi Arabia has banned pilgrims from 18 countries following the detection of Omicron, the latest coronavirus variant.

Following the detection of new variant of the COVID-19, known as Omicron, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has banned pilgrims from 18 countries where the new variant has been detected, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).
 
Accordingly pilgrims from 18 countries including Lebanon, Turkey and Afghanistan, are banned from entering Saudi Arabia even if having received the vaccination.
 
Other countries whose nationals are also banned from visit to the Arab kingdom include Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seashell, Maurice, Comoros, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Ethiopia and Eswatini.
 
Saudi Arabia has expressed concern over detection of the new COVID-19 variant and postponed any decision for Hajj 1443 to a time closer to the pilgrimage.
 
The Arab country had resumed admitting foreign pilgrims who have received vaccine though the new variant is likely to ban more countries from Hajj pilgrimage.