Saudi Arabia issues a new decision regarding “Umrah” for residents and expatriates

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia announced the start of receiving pilgrims from citizens and residents, in addition to gradually receiving requests for Umrah from various countries of the world, starting next Monday, to perform the rituals of Umrah, visit and pray in the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.

The capacity of the pilgrims reaches 60000 pilgrims, distributed over 8 operational periods, to reach the capacity of 2 million pilgrims per month.

Permits are issued through the “Etmrna W’e Ta’wklna” application, amid an integrated system of services and preventive measures, taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the safety and health of those wishing to perform the rituals of Umrah and visit.

The Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdul Fattah bin Suleiman Mashat, stated that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah worked in coordination with other concerned authorities before the start of the Umrah season 1443 AH, to put in place executive mechanisms and create a safe environment for the pilgrims throughout their journey to achieve security, safety, and human health.

Regarding the standards of safe transport services, he stated that the number of passengers on the bus will not exceed 50% of the bus’s capacity while maintaining a safe distance inside the bus, providing sterilizers, and ensuring the permits of pilgrims issued by the “Etmrna W’e Ta’wklna” application before boarding the bus.

Mashat indicated that the ministry is working, in coordination with the competent authorities, to determine the countries from which the pilgrims are offered, and their numbers periodically according to the classification of preventive measures, and the requirements for the countries from which the pilgrims and visitors come to the Kingdom, and the accreditation of service providers (Umrah companies, hotels, and transport companies).

Regarding the health protocols for pilgrims from inside the Kingdom, he indicated that immunization will be a prerequisite for performing Umrah, praying in the Grand Mosque, and visiting the Prophet’s Mosque.

As for the pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom, a certificate of immunization approved by the official authorities in the country of the pilgrim must be attached within the justifications for requesting the performance of the rituals, with the condition that the vaccines be approved in the Kingdom.

The Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah called for the necessity of adhering to the organizational plans and health procedures established by the ministry in cooperation with the competent authorities for the safety of the pilgrims and those serving them and to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.