Hajj to be held this year amid strict Covid protocols

Saudi Arabia has announced that the annual religious pilgrimage to Mecca will be observed this year.

The Hajj and Umrah Ministry said in a statement on Sunday, May 9 that Hajj will go ahead this year with all the health, security and regulatory standards and regulations in place in order to preserve the health and well being of pilgrims.

“Health institutions in Saudi Arabia will continue to assess the situation and take all the measures to preserve the health of all mankind,” the Ministry said.

The Ministry added that it would announce the specific measures and organizational plans at a later date.

Hajj which usually sees over 2.5 million Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia was curtailed for the first time in modern history to allow just 1,000 pilgrims to take part due to Covid-19.

Only those in Saudi Arabia were able to attend as a result of the closure of borders occasioned by the pandemic.