Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to allow only covid-19 vaccinated pilgrims in Grand Masjid

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that only pilgrims and worshippers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from coronavirus will be allowed into Grand Masjid in Makkah.

Umrah permits and visit permits for Grand Masjid and Prophet’s Masjid in Madinah will increase operational capacity during the month of Ramadan, which begins next week.

The permits will be granted to those who have received two vaccination jabs, those who have received a first dose at least 14 days before their visit to Madinah and Makkah, and those who have had the virus and recovered.

Nearly 10,000 Grand Mosque workers have already been inoculated as part of the Ramadan operational plan.

More than 13 million worshippers wearing masks and observing physical distancing rules have visited the mosques since the seven-month prayer and Umrah suspension was lifted last October.