Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that only thepilgrims and worshippers who are immunized against the coronavirus will bepermitted to perform the year-round Umrah pilgrimage starting from Ramadan.——————————

There are three categories of people who will be considered “immunized” andeligible to offer prayers at the Grand Mosque of Makkah and the Prophet’sMosque in Medinah:

– Those who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine – Those administered a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to travel – Those who have recovered from COVID-19 infection

The vaccination status of each pilgrim will be registered on the kingdom’sCOVID-19 app called Tawakkalna. Those who wish to perform Umrah and visitthe two Holy Mosques must register on Tawakkalna and the Umrah appEatmarna, and they will be accommodated according to space and availabilityin the mosques.——————————

The policy will be implemented in Ramadan for the Umrah pilgrims, butwhether it will be extended to the annual Hajj pilgrimage remains to beseen.