JEDDAH – Entering into third leg of gradual resumption, Saudi Arabia willstart receiving the pilgrims for Umrah from outside the kingdom fromNovember 4, a decision that will provide relief to badly-hit Umrahcompanies in the kingdom.
The Arab country has imposed a ban on Umrah in March and significantlyreduced the number of Hajj pilgrims in July this year in order to containthe spread of coronavirus.
With the start of November, pilgrims from outside and inside of the countrywill be allowed to perform the ritual at full capacity.
In first two phases of the four-phase resumption plan, the government hadallowed 6,000 domestic worshippers a day to perform Umrah and on October 18the strength of the worshippers was surged to 15,000 or 75% of the totalcapacity.
Pilgrim aged between 18-50 years will be allowed to travel from abroad forUmrah, and it will be mandatory for them to prove a negative Covid-19 testupon arrival.
All Umrah pilgrims will have to spend three days in quarantine afterreached Saudi Arabia, said guidelines issued by the Ministry of Hajja andUmrah.
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The authorities said they have co-ordinated with state-owned Saudi ArabianAirlines to provide the necessary seat capacity for pilgrims arriving fromabroad.
“The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is working in coordination with otherconcerned authorities to create a safe and facilitated environment for thevisitors throughout their journey, and coordination has been made with thenational carrier, Saudia airline, to provide the necessary seat capacity,according to the approved plan of precautionary measures and healthprotocols,” read the official press release.
The development comes a day after Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudiaannounced it will resume flights to 33 international destinations,including five Pakistani cities, in November.
The airline resumed international flights to 20 destinations after monthsof travel disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, when authoritiespartially lifted the suspension of international flights on September 15.
