The Hajj pilgrimage, which usually draws millions of Muslims from around the world, will see as few as a thousand pilgrims next month, Saudi Arabia has announced.
The kingdom's dedicated Hajj minister Muhammad Benten said "small and very limited" numbers of worshippers will be allowed to the religious site to ensure safe social distancing amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The country’s government has yet to confirm a precise figure, but Mr Benten said the total number of people admitted could be as low as 1,000.
The pilgrimage centres around five intense days of worship and rituals in the holy city of Mecca. However, pilgrims typically begin arriving in the country through its main gateway town of Jeddah weeks or even months in advance.
The kingdom has one of the highest rates of Covid-19 infections in the Middle East, with more than 161,750 confirmed cases and 1,307 deaths to date.
In light of the pandemic, no-one over the age of 65 will be allowed to perform the Hajj, and all visitors to and workers at the site will be quarantined both before and after the pilgrimage, Saudi officials told a virtual press conference on Tuesday.
Mr Benten said: "This is a very sensitive operation and we are working with experts at the Health Ministry."
It is a blow to those who have waited and saved money for years to afford the journey.
All able-bodied Muslims are required to undertake the Hajj at least once in their life. It is also viewed as an opportunity to cleanse of past sins and connect with Muslims from all walks of life.
The Hajj typically draws 2.5 million people each year from within Saudi Arabia and around the world.
