Saudi Arabia has allowed foreigners who have been vaccinated this year to perform Umrah from August 10.
Saudi officials say vaccinated pilgrims from banned countries should be quarantined upon arrival. A Reuters report quoted the Saudi Press Agency as saying that Mecca and Medina would receive pilgrims from abroad, taking into account precautionary measures against the corona virus, with a capacity of 60,000 to 2 million pilgrims each month.
The announcement also said that an official from the Hajj and Umrah Ministry said that local and foreign pilgrims would have to attach a certified cod vaccination certificate with Umrah’s application.
It should be noted that Saudi Arabia had allowed foreigners to enter the country after receiving a booster shot of one of four approved vaccines. Umrah is an act of worship in Islam that can be performed at any time of the year and was opened to the locals in October last year.
In early July, Saudi Arabia allowed 60,000 fully vaccinated pilgrims to perform the Hajj in the country. Between September 2019 and March 2020, Saudi Arabia issued 400,000 visas, but the global epidemic slowed that pace and closed the borders.
The Corona virus has also severely affected the Umrah and Hajj pilgrimages, earning Saudi Arabia around £ 12 billion a year in revenue under normal circumstances. Currently, only Saudi citizens and residents who have received a full dose of the vaccine can perform Umrah.
The government has stepped up a nationwide vaccination campaign to revive tourism, organize sporting and recreational events, all of which have been affected by the global epidemic.
The empire, which is isolated from world affairs, first issued tourist visas in 2019, with the aim of creating its best image in the world and attracting tourists.
.