Pilgrims expected to perform Umrah as Saudi authorities eases COVID-19 restrictions

Saudi Arabia has agreed to allow its citizens and foreigners to begin performing Umrah rituals this year after seven months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Six thousand pilgrims will be allowed to enter the Grand Mosque in Mecca in the first phase on Sunday.

People will be required to follow Saudi health guidelines and maintain a 2 metre distance from each other.

It is understood that Saudi authorities plans to allow pilgrims to worship in four groups, with 6,000 starting on Sunday.

The number will continue to increase in the coming days until the mosque is full.
Grand Mosque is expected to be sprayed with disinfectants ten times a day.

Saudi Arabia is expected to open its doors to foreign pilgrims in early November to perform Umrah rituals.