Saudi Arabia allows 'immunised' overseas pilgrims to perform Umrah
July 26, 2021
- Saudi Arabia has allowed 'immunised' overseas pilgrims to perform Umrah
- Only those who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus can apply for an Umrah visa, say authorities
- Vaccinated pilgrims from nine countries, including Pakistan and India, will be allowed to perform Umrah, says Arab media
RIYADH: The Saudi Arabia’s authorities have decided to allow only immunized overseas pilgrims against Covid-19 to perform Umrah form 9th of August (Muharram 1).
According to Hani Ali Al-Amiri, member of the National Committee for Hajj and Umrah, the aspiring pilgrims can book Umrah packages and make all the payments through around 30 electronic sites and platforms that are available for global reservations, Saudi Gazette reported.
In a statement, Hani Ali Al-Amiri said that only those who were fully vaccinated against coronavirus can apply for an Umrah visa.
Umrah aspirants also need to be in excellent health conditions and must comply with protocols aimed to ensure the safety of the pilgrims coming from abroad, he added.
He said around 500 Umrah service companies and establishments and more than 6,000 foreign Umrah agents are geared up to receive vaccinated foreign Umrah pilgrims from 9th of August.
Amiri said that all services and packages are available online and can be availed on global and local booking platforms approved by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Harmain Sharfain, on Twitter, announced that all countries were allowed to send direct flights except for nine countries — India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, and Lebanon.
The pilgrims will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine in a third country before arriving in the Kingdom.
The pilgrims should be completely vaccinated against COVID-19 with either of these jabs — Pfizer, Mordena, AstraZeneca, and J&J.
Moreover, people who have been inoculated with complete doses of China's vaccines will be allowed after they have received a booster shot of either Pfizer, Mordena, Astrazeneca, or J&J.
People above 18-years of age and above will be allowed.
