JEDDAH – Pilgrims have been allowed to touch the Holy Kaaba again asbarriers installed around the sacred place have been removed after the gapof over two years.
The barricades were installed around the house of Allah in March 2020 toensure social distancing between pilgrims and prevent spread of Covid-19.
The decision to return to normalcy was announced by Sheikh Dr. AbdulrahmanAl-Sudais, President of General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two HolyMosques, on Tuesday.
The development comes as new Umrah season has begun, following thecompletion of Hajj 2022.
Al-Sudais praised the Saudi leadership for the steps to facilitate visitorsto the Grand Mosque to perform their rituals in a safe atmosphere.
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He said the presidency was working closely with all sectors operating inthe Grand Mosque to welcome pilgrims and provide all necessary facilities,in line with the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed binSalman.
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques said it hadlaunched preparations to provide services early on, in line with crowdmanagement plans, and prepared the Grand Mosque to facilitate Umrahpilgrims.
