RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi authorities said Monday only
people immunized against COVID-19 will be allowed to perform the year-round
umrah pilgrimage from the start of Ramadan, the holy fasting month for Muslims.
اضافة اعلان
The hajj and umrah ministry said in a statement that three
categories of people would be considered “immunized” — those who have received
two doses of the vaccine, those administered a single dose at least 14 days
prior, and people who have recovered from the infection.
Only those people will be eligible for permits to perform
umrah, as well as to attend prayers in the Grand Mosque in the holy city of
Mecca.
It added that the condition also applies for entry into the
Prophet’s Mosque in the holy city of Medina.
The ministry said the policy starts with Ramadan, which is
due to begin later this month, but it was unclear how long it would last.
It was also not clear whether the policy, which comes amid
an uptick in coronavirus infections in the kingdom, would be extended to the
annual hajj pilgrimage later this year.
Saudi Arabia has reported more than 393,000 coronavirus
infections and 6,700 deaths from COVID-19.
The kingdom’s health ministry said it has administered more
than five million coronavirus vaccines, in a country with a population of over
34 million.
Last month, King Salman replaced the hajj minister, months
after the kingdom hosted the smallest hajj in modern history due to the
pandemic.
Mohammad Benten was relieved from his post and replaced by
Essam bin Saeed, according to a royal decree published by official Saudi Press
Agency (SPA).
The kingdom hosted the hajj in late July last year.
Only 10,000 Muslim residents of Saudi Arabia itself were
allowed to take part, a far cry from the 2.5 million Muslims from around the
world who participated in 2019.
It is unclear how many pilgrims will be allowed for hajj
this year.
According to the pro-government Okaz newspaper, only vaccinated
pilgrims will likely be permitted this year.
In a relaxation of coronavirus curbs last October, Saudi
Arabia opened the Grand Mosque for prayers for the first time in seven months
and partially resumed the umrah pilgrimage.
The umrah usually attracts millions of Muslims from across
the globe each year.
Authorities said the umrah will be allowed to return to full
capacity once the threat of the pandemic has abated.
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