UNB :
Pilgrims from nine countries, including India and Pakistan, will require a 14-day quarantine in a third country before arrival
Saudi Arabia will allow pilgrims living outside the country to undertake the Umrah pilgrimage, starting August 10.
The country on Sunday announced the resumption of Umrah service for pilgrims worldwide from 1st Muharram, 1443, after the end of the Hajj season, according to state press agency SPA.
Meanwhile, Umrah for Saudi citizens and residents in the Kingdom restarted on Sunday.
In early July, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stopped receiving applications for Umrah to prepare for this year’s Hajj.
However, from Sunday, Umrah agencies have been allowed to issue visas. All countries have been allowed to send direct flights except for nine.
Pilgrims from India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, and Lebanon will need to undergo a quarantine of 14 days in a third country before arriving in the Kingdom.
Also, it has been made mandatory to be vaccinated against Covid-19 with complete doses of either Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or J&J; complete doses of China’s vaccines with a booster shot of either Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or J&J.
Umrah is a voluntary Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina undertaken any time of the year. In February last year, it was suspended over fears of the Covid-19 outbreak.
However, the Kingdom reopened Muslim holy sites for Umrah after a six-month pause in October same year.
