COVID-19: Saudi Arabia issues Hajj measures for pilgrims

Merge 104.8  |  06 July 2020

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued health protocols for this year’s upcoming Hajj pilgrimage.  

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) the Kingdom’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said the annual pilgrimage would be restricted to a very limited number of pilgrims of all nationalities who are already residing in the country.

On Sunday, the Saudi Center for Disease Prevention and Control announced new restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus during Hajj.

The safety measures include: 

  • Keeping a minimum physical distance of a metre-and-a-half between each pilgrim
  • Touching or kissing the Holy Kaaba will not be permitted.
  • Pilgrims must wear face-masks at all times, at all sites.
  • No more than 10 pilgrims can be present in the 50 square metres of space allocated for tents.
  • Only sterilized stones for the ‘stoning the devil’ ritual can be used, and the ritual performed with only 50 pilgrims at a time.
  • Pilgrims should not share personal tools and equipment such as protective equipment, communication devices, clothing, shaving products, or towels.