COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.
The threat posed by Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been assessed by the UK’s Chief Medical Officer as ‘moderate’. The risk to individuals remains low, but it is important to take precaution and be mindful of this risk.
- Advice for Individuals
- Specified countries and areas with implications for returning travellers or visitors arriving in the UK
- Advice for Umrah and Hajj Travellers
1. Advice for Individuals
The current NHS advice is that as individuals, we should follow good hygiene practices, including:
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
- put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
– a cough
– a high temperature
– shortness of breath
But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
2. Specified countries and areas with implications for returning travellers or visitors arriving in the UK
It is mostly important for travelers who have travelled back to the UK recently from specific regions of the world as highlighted by the Foreign Office.
Symptoms of Coronavirus, they should self-isolate – stay home, not go out, and have no contact with the public – and visit coronavirus service Online or call 111. Do not attend your GP practice or pharmacy as this places others at risk.
3. Advice for Umrah and Hajj Travellers
On 4 March 2020, Saudi Arabia announced that all Umrah pilgrimages entirely are temporarily banned, including visits to holy sites in Makkah and Medina.
“If you hear of an [outbreak of] plague in a land, do not enter it; and if the plague occurs in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place”
(Bukhari 5396)
Read latest Foreign Office advice on travel to Saudi Arabia here.
You should contact your airline or tour operator before you travel. If you have any questions about travel restrictions to Saudi Arabia, you should contact the nearest Saudi Embassy or Visit Saudi.
British Muslims with family or friends who have Umrah pilgrimage trips planned are advised to contact their airline/tour operators or travel agents for further advice and guidance. Further advice is available from CBHUK here.
May Allah ﷻ protect us and our families, and give us tawfiq.
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