MANILA- The Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday it was "concerned" over Saudi Arabia's decision to suspend visas for pilgrims wishing to visit Mecca over coronavirus fears as it could affect other travelers.

The DFA will seek a "clarification" of the policy, DFA Assistant Secretary Ed Meñez said after he confirmed receiving reports of Filipino migrant workers who experienced trouble entering Saudi.

"We're quite concerned about reports of the Saudi government’s actions with regard to this particular COVID-19 issue," Meñez told reporters.

"We hope to clarify all these reports and be able to inform the public kung ano talaga ang existing policy ng bansang iyon (what the existing policy means)," he said.

Saudi Arabia announced last week that its government was "suspending entry to the Kingdom for the purpose of Umrah and visiting the Prophet's Mosque temporarily," referring to the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of year.

Umrah attracts tens of thousands of Muslims from all over the globe each month. The foreign ministry said it was also suspending visas for tourists visiting from countries where the new virus is a "danger."

• Saudi Arabia suspends entry for pilgrims over coronavirus

"If there are those who are negatively affected, we will also bring those cases to the attention of the Saudi government so that they are better able to implement whatever policy they decide to take,” he added.

The Philippines has so far confirmed 3 coronavirus cases, all Chinese tourists from Wuhan, China. One of the 3 died. -- with a report from Agence France-Presse