Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Haj and Umrah has said that people participating in this year's Haj have begun a seven-day isolation period at their homes, Al Arabiya reported.

Earlier, this month the country announced health protocols to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in the 2020 Haj season, banning gatherings and meetings between pilgrims.

Saudi Arabia decided in June to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending the Haj to around 1,000 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, after barring Muslims abroad from the rite for the first year in modern times.