 In February 2020, Saudi Arabia temporarily banned foreigners from entering Mecca and Medina to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic in the Kingdom.Makkah's culture has been affected by the large number of pilgrims that arrive annually, and thus boasts a rich cultural heritage.As a result of the vast numbers of pilgrims coming to the city each year, Mecca has become by far the most diverse city in the Muslim world.