Cleaners scrub and sterilise the floors of Mecca’s Grand Mosque after fears of coronavirus led Saudi Arabia to suspend pilgrim visas, but worshippers appear unfazed — confident of God’s protection.

Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites, on Thursday suspended entry by foreigners for the year-round “umrah” pilgrimage, an unprecedented move that has left tens of thousands in limbo.

It has also sparked uncertainty over the annual hajj pilgrimage scheduled for July.