Cairo: Saudi Arabia issued new guidelines in which they mentioned that the people who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated Muslims can now undertake ‘Umrah’ or less pilgrimage at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia, but under certain conditions as part of recently relaxed restrictions against COVID-19 in the country.
As per Okaz, “such Muslims are also allowed to pray at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, and the Prophet’s Mohammed Mosque in Medina provided they are not infected with COVID-19 or have not come in touch with other persons who tested positive for the disease.”
The reports added that the latest move came in force after the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has lifted several preventive measures. They cancelled the permits at the Grand Mosque and visited the Prophet’s Mosque.
According to the Ministry statement this week, in which they stated the immunisation check to enter the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has been discarded for all worshippers.
Additionally, the ministry also cancelled the once-obligatory registration of immunization data for overseas Muslims to get an Umrah permit.
The ban in which negative PCR reports were mandatory has been removed from both sacred places.
Before this week, Saudi Arabia removed the ban of most anti-coronavirus restrictions as virus infection rates have significantly declined in the kingdom.
They included the dumping physical distancing among worshippers at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet Mosque; however, wearing a mask is still necessary.
The government of Saudi Arabia also cancelled the condition in which mandatory PCR tets and institutional and home quarantine for arrivals in the kingdom included.