Umrah Pilgrims advised to take Covid-19 vaccine

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Saudi Arabia has suggested vaccines as a safety measure after resuming international flights

Al Arabiya reported that the Saudi Minister for Hajj has advised pilgrims to take the coronavirus vaccine before travelling to perform Umrah. Saudi Arabia reopened its borders to international flights after closing them for 2 weeks during the outbreak of the new strain of coronavirus. To ensure the safety of pilgrims, it has advised taking the vaccine along with the other protective measures which have been put into place.

Muslims in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah

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Safety requirements for pilgrims

It is mandatory for pilgrims to wear masks during the Umrah. Social distancing, regular hand washing and sanitation are also observed. Umrah pilgrims must also be aged between 18 to 50.

Muslims who want to perform the Umrah pilgrimage are continually being advised to receive the coronavirus vaccine beforehand, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mohammed Benten told Al Arabiya on Tuesday. Preventative protocols will continue to be in place, but as a precautionary measure it is advised that all those who wish to perform the ritual take the COVID-19 vaccine, he said. More than 100,000 people have already taken the vaccine, al-Ekhbariyah TV reported on Wednesday.

Medical teams have also been stationed in several areas around the courtyards, and an isolation and medical check-up room has been designated in case of a suspected coronavirus case. The precautionary measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of all visitors, a spokesman for the GeneralPresidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque told Al Arabiya when Umrah pilgrims were first allowed to perform the ritual in November.

Cleaners ensuring that Hajj and Umrah are clean for Pilgrims

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Safety measures taken by the presidency

Around 2,500 litres of environmentally friendly sanitisers are used to clean the courtyards. Medical teams are on standby in case their assistance is required. The Saudi Minister for Hajj has said that the Umrah pilgrimage is safe to perform.

By Nasria Begum