Saudi Arabia to only Allow Vaccinated Pilgrims to Perform Umrah in Makkah During Ramadan

Faizel Patel – 06/04/2021

Saudi Arabian officials have conceded that Umrah cannot yet get back to normal as the Kingdom mitigates the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The kingdom’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry says only pilgrims and worshippers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from coronavirus will be allowed into the Haram in Makkah,

Umrah permits and visit permits for the Haram and Masjid-un-Nabawi in Medina 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.

Each person’s vaccination status will need to be registered on Saudi Arabia’s COVID-19 Tawakkalna app which was launched last year to help track coronavirus infections.

It is unclear if restrictions will affect hajj later this year.

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