International pilgrims will be permitted to perform Umrah from August 10, according to Saudi local media reports.

The kingdom reopened the Grand Mosque in Makkah to domestic Umrah pilgrims on Sunday, after the Hajj pilgrimage concluded last week.

During Hajj, authorities restricted entry to the mosque only to 60,000 Saudi residents and citizens due to the pandemic. Those wishing to perform Hajj were also required to be vaccinated, free from chronic diseases and between the ages of 18-65.
Authorities said last week that no Covid-19 cases were registered among the pilgrims.

On Sunday, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said that it has prepared to organise the entry of pilgrims to the Great Mosque specific doors, in line with Covid-19 precautionary measures and physical distancing.

Domestic pilgrims wishing to perform Umrah will need to book an appointment using the Eatmarna app while international pilgrims will be required to go through an official agency.

Hani Ali Al-Amiri, member of Saudi Arabia’s National Committee for Hajj and Umrah, told Al Arabiya that foreign pilgrims have access to more than 6,000 external Umrah agencies and about 30 websites and platforms to make reservations for booking their journey to perform Umrah.

“Through the online platforms, pilgrims can purchase their entire programme of travel, transportation, hotels, and catering, and specify a company or institution for Umrah to provide services, while Umrah companies and institutions are currently being prepared to follow all health precautions and crowd management have been taken for its employees and workers, and the work of a number of these has been activated,” Al-Amiri told Al Arabiya.

Source: Gulf Business

BDST: 1437 HRS, JUL 26, 2021
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