Tehran (IP)- Saudi Arabia has suspended the international Umrah in an attempt to fend off a fast-spreading Covid-19 mutant strain discovered in Britain.

Iran Press/Middle East: The Saudi Arabia kingdom is "temporarily suspending all international flights - except in exceptional cases - for a period of one week which can be extended by another week," the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said on Sunday, the National News reported.

This decision had been made by the Saudis following the new Covid-19 show up in Britain.

Umrah is a short pilgrimage that can be performed by Muslims at any time of the year. Millions of people come to the Persian Gulf country each year to perform the Umrah pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia. However, due to the coronavirus outbreak, the kingdom suspended Umrah in March and significantly downsized its Hajj pilgrimage.

"Entry to the kingdom through land and seaports will also be suspended for a week, which can be extended by another week," SPA added, citing a source at the interior ministry.

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