MAKASSAR, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia halted a mass congregation of nearly 9,000 Muslim pilgrims and began quarantining and checking their health Thursday to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s bishops said Friday the Vatican had suspended a clerical sex abuse fact-finding and assistance mission to Mexico due to the spreading coronavirus in Italy and now the Vatican.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The coronavirus outbreak disrupted Islamic treasure in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia on Wednesday banned its voters and other residents of the kingdom from performing the pilgrimage in Mecca, whereas Iran canceled Friday prayers in principal cities.