Saudi authorities said on Monday only people immunized against Covid-19 are going to be allowed to perform the year-round Umrah pilgrimage from the beginning of Ramazan.
The Haj and Umrah ministry said during a report that three groups of individuals would be measured “immunised” — those that have received two doses of the vaccine, those administered one dose a minimum of 14 days prior, and other people who have recovered from the infection.
Monal Travels updates you that only those people are going to be eligible for permits to perform Umrah, also attend prayers within the Grand Mosque within the Celestial City of Makkah.
It added that the condition also applies for entry into the Prophet's Mosque in Madina.
The ministry said the policy starts with Ramazan, which is thanks to beginning later this month, but it had been unclear how long it might last.
It was also not clear whether the policy, which comes amid an uptick in coronavirus infections within the kingdom, would be extended to the annual Haj pilgrimage later this year.
Saudi Arabia has reported quite 393,000 coronavirus infections and 6,700 deaths from Covid-19. The kingdom's health ministry said it's administered quite five million Covid-19 vaccines, during a country with a population of over 34m.
Last month, King Salman replaced the Haj minister, months after the dominion hosted the littlest Haj in modern history thanks to the pandemic.
Mohammad Benten was relieved from his post and replaced by Essam bin Saeed, consistent with a royal decree published by the official Saudi news agency (SPA).
The kingdom introduced the Haj in late July last year.
Only 10,000 Muslim residents of Saudi Arabia itself were allowed to require the part, a far cry from the two.5m Muslims from around the world participated in 2019.
It is unclear what percentage of pilgrims are going to be allowed for Haj this year.
Rendering to the pro-government Okaz newspaper, only protected pilgrims will likely be allowed this year.
In a relaxation of coronavirus curbs last October, Saudi Arabia opened the Grand Mosque for prayers for the primary time in seven months and partially resumed Umrah.
The Umrah usually attracts many Muslims from across the world annually.
Authorities said the Umrah is going to be allowed to return to full capacity once the threat of the pandemic has abated.
Covid-19 precautions
Last month, the Saudi government had announced that there would be no iftar gatherings or Aitekaf at the Grand Mosque and therefore the Prophet's Mosque during Ramazan.
Visitors from outside the country won't be ready to perform Umrah during the fasting month because the kingdom has already suspended international flights till May 17.
The country's General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca) earlier said that international airports will reopen and international flights are going to be allowed to resume on May 17 — after Ramazan is over.
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Haj and Umrah had advised those eager to perform Umrah to urge vaccinated beforehand.
Preventative protocols will still be in situ, but as a protective measure, it's guided that each one those that wish to perform the ritual take the Covid-19 vaccine," he was quoted as saying by Al-Arabiya.
Monal Travels updating you that other restrictions the minister had announced included wearing masks in the least times during Umrah, age limits wherein only those between 18 to 50 years would be allowed to perform it, and enforcement of social distancing.
Meanwhile, the dominion has made it mandatory for people involved in preparations for Haj and Umrah to urge vaccinated by the primary of Ramazan, consistent with reports.