Saudi Arabia will only allow vaccinated pilgrims to Mecca.

Saudi authorities have ruled that only vaccinated pilgrims would be permitted to offer prayers in Mecca and Medina.

Saudi authorities have ruled that only vaccinated pilgrims would be permitted to offer prayers in Mecca and Medina.The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca made by Muslims. The religious activity required of all Muslims once in a lifetime is a major income source for the Saudi government.

Saudi Arabia has reported more than 3 lakh COVID-19 infections and over 6,700 deaths from the virus. Amid the rising numbers of infection rates in the country, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that from the start of Ramadan, only pilgrims immunized against the COVID-19 infection would be allowed to perform Umrah and prayers in the Grand Mosque. The condition also applied for entry into the Prophet’s mosque in Medina. Last year the kingdom had taken steps to contain the virus by reducing the number of pilgrims to around 1,000 after barring Muslims abroad from the rite.

The individuals who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, those having received a single dose at least 14 days before performing the pilgrimage, and people who have recovered from the virus will be allowed to perform prayers.

The ministry said that the measures are implemented to keep the health and safety of those visiting the Two Holy Mosques and those working to serve them.

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