Saudi Arabia announces health guidelines for Hajj

Touching Kaaba will be banned, foreign residents will make up 70% of the pilgrims; UAE reports 528 COVID-19 cases, 424 recoveries; Dubai issues protocols on reopening schools; hundreds undergo free tests in Sharjah.

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Saudi Arabia announced health protocols to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus during this year’s Hajj season which includes limiting the number of pilgrims, the state news agency, SPA, said on Monday.

In a statement, the Saudi Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, said the new measures will require pilgrims to wear face masks and will forbid entry to the Holy sites (Mina, Muzdalifah, Arafat) without a permit, starting from July 19, 2020 until Aug.2, 2020.

Inside the Grand Mosque, touching the Kaaba will be banned, and a social distancing space of one a half metres between pilgrims during the rituals, including mass prayers and while circling the Kaaba, will be imposed.

The Kingdom opened Hajj registration for foreign residents, saying they will make up 70 per cent of the pilgrims.

Saudi citizens will make up the remaining 30 per cent of the pilgrims, with the ritual restricted to medical professionals and security personnel who have recovered from the virus, the ministry said.

Saudi Arabia has said it will allow only around 1,000 pilgrims already present in the kingdom to participate in this year’s Hajj.