The ministry also decided to temporarily suspend work on tourist visas previously issued to citizens of these countries.

The Saudi ministry of tourism temporarily suspended on Thursday issuing electronic tourist visas for those coming from China, Italy, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Kazakhstan, the Saudi news agency (SPA) reported. (Coronavirus outbreak: All the latest updates)

The ministry also decided to temporarily suspend work on tourist visas previously issued to citizens of these countries, SPA added.

UAE residents' travel plans disrupted after Saudi suspends Umrah visas



The ministry announced the continuation of issuing tourist visas electronically or upon arrival to citizens of other countries previously permitted, stressing that tourist visa holders should not be allowed to visit the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

With regard to tourist visas issued to citizens of other countries that are not included in the electronic visa, it is possible to verify the possibility of visiting the Kingdom by calling the tourist phone from outside the Kingdom and its number 00966920000890.

(Coronavirus: Everything you need to know about the Covid-19 Wuhan virus outbreak)

As for the American, British and Schengen visa holders, they can check the possibility of obtaining the tourist visa through the previously mentioned tourist phone.

The Ministry of Tourism stated that the ultimate goal is to provide the utmost protection to citizens, residents and tourists visiting the Kingdom from other countries.

This is in line with the recommendations of the health authorities concerned with applying the highest precautionary standards, and taking proactive preventive measures to prevent the arrival or spreading of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) to the Kingdom.

The Ministry of Tourism said, "These procedures are temporary, and are subject to continuous evaluation by the competent authorities."

With inputs from Reuters