Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah supervised the departure of 172 Iraqi pilgrims on Monday back to Iraq, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The pilgrims travelled from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah where 140 left for Erbil and 32 pilgrims to Baghdad.
The ministries of health, foreign affairs and interior coordinated with the General Authority of Civil Aviation to ensure that the airport and the completion of travel procedures were according to health standards and safety measures against the coronavirus.
Thousands of pilgrims have been stranded in Saudi Arabia due to the coronavirus outbreak. The ministry said pilgrims were tested throughout their stay and were kept in medical isolation until results showed they were free of the virus.
The Ministry has also secured hotels in Makkah and Jeddah to host Umrah pilgrims throughout the period, and provided food and transportation to the departure port.
