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Saudi Arabia to allow in vaccinated Umrah pilgrims
Source: BBC
Saudi Arabia to allow in vaccinated Umrah pilgrims
8 August 2021
Saudi Arabia is to begin accepting vaccinated foreign visitors to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina as part of the Umrah pilgrimage.
The authorities will begin taking travel requests from Monday.
The kingdom closed its borders some 18 months ago because of the coronavirus pandemic. Since 1 August, vaccinated foreign tourists are also allowed in.
Last month, only around 60,000 vaccinated residents were allowed to take part in a scaled-down Hajj.
The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims who are able to must perform at least once in their lifetime. It takes place at a set time of year: in 2022, it will run from 7 to 12 July.
The Umrah pilgrimage includes Medina as well as Mecca. It can be undertaken at any time of the year and attracts millions from around the world.
-snip-
8 August 2021
Saudi Arabia is to begin accepting vaccinated foreign visitors to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina as part of the Umrah pilgrimage.
The authorities will begin taking travel requests from Monday.
The kingdom closed its borders some 18 months ago because of the coronavirus pandemic. Since 1 August, vaccinated foreign tourists are also allowed in.
Last month, only around 60,000 vaccinated residents were allowed to take part in a scaled-down Hajj.
The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims who are able to must perform at least once in their lifetime. It takes place at a set time of year: in 2022, it will run from 7 to 12 July.
The Umrah pilgrimage includes Medina as well as Mecca. It can be undertaken at any time of the year and attracts millions from around the world.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58135756