Starting Ramadan, only Muslims immunised against Covid-19 will be allowed to perform the Umrah pilgrimage, Saudi authorities said.
According to the Hajj and Umrah Ministry’s announcement, three categories of people would be considered “immunised”:
- Those who have received two doses of the vaccine.
- Those administered a single dose at least 14 days prior.
- Those who have recovered from the virus.
Only those who fit into the above categories will be eligible for permits to perform Umrah.
The conditions also apply on entry into the Prophet’s mosque in the holy city of Medina.
The duration that the policy is unclear as well as whether it would be extended to the Hajj pilgrimage later this year.
Hajj is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. Hajj must be undertaken at a specific time of year in the last month of the Islamic calendar, Dhu’l-Hijjah.
The Umrah pilgrimage can be done at any time of the year.
Authorities said the umrah would be allowed to return to full capacity once the threat of the pandemic had abated.
