Saudi Arabia resumes Umrah after 6-month hiatus

The authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have re-opened the Muslim holy places for Umrah pilgrimage.

This was after a six-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Sunday October, 2020, said, “Following coronavirus protocols, the first batch of Umrah pilgrims arrived in the early hours of Sunday.”

Without giving further details, the ministry shared photos of the visitors entering the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

“Saudis and foreign residents of the kingdom will be allowed to perform Umrah, or the minor pilgrimage, at the Grand Mosque at a 30% capacity or 6,000 people per day,” the ministry adds

Earlier, it was reported that the barricade placed around the Kaaba and the holy Black Stone will remain in its place and visitors will be prevented from touching them as part of the COVID-19 measures.

Masjid al-Haram, where the Kaaba is located, will be disinfected 10 times a day, and quarantine rooms were already prepared for visitors showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Due to the pandemic, the Hajj pilgrimage this year was limited to those living in Saudi Arabia, and pilgrims from abroad were not accepted.