Officially, Saudi Arabia announces that the Umrah and visitation will be gradually allowed to take place, starting on October 4.

The Saudi Interior Ministry announced that Umrah will be allowed from inside Saudi Arabia, starting on October 4.

An official source from the Saudi Interior Ministry announced that, based on what has been received from the competent authorities regarding developments against the emerging Corona virus (Covid 19), and in response to the aspiration of many Muslims in the country and abroad to perform Umrah and visiting rituals, and based on the enthusiasm of the wise leadership for the health and safety of those who visit the Two Holy Mosques. The generous approval was issued to allow the completion of the Umrah and the visit gradually, taking the necessary health precautions, according to the following arrangements and stages:

1- Re-permission to perform Umrah, enter the Great Mosque and visit the honorable kindergarten in the Prophet’s Mosque gradually according to the following stages:

* The first stage: allow citizens and residents to perform Umrah from within the Kingdom, starting on Sunday 17 Safar 1442 AH corresponding to October 4, 2020 AD, at a rate of 30% (6 thousand pilgrims / day) of the capacity that takes into account the sanitary precautionary measures of the Great Mosque.

* The second stage: allow the realization of the Umrah, visits and prayers for citizens and residents of the interior of the Kingdom, starting on Sunday 1 Rabi` Al-Awwal 1442 AH corresponding to October 18, 2020 AD, at a rate of 75 % (15 thousand pilgrims / day, 40 thousand faithful / day) of the capacity that is taken into account. Sanitary precautionary measures for the Grand Mosque, with 75% of the absorptive capacity taking into account the sanitary precautionary measures for the honorable kindergarten in the Prophet’s Mosque.

* The third stage: Allow the performance of Umrah, visits and prayers for citizens and residents inside and outside the Kingdom, from Sunday 15 Rabi` Al-Awwal 1442 AH corresponding to November 1, 2020 AD, until official announcement of the end of the Corona pandemic or the disappearance of the danger, and that is 100% (20 thousand pilgrims / Today, 60 thousand faithful / day) of the absorption capacity that takes into account the sanitary precautionary measures of the Great Mosque, and 100% of the absorption capacity that takes into account the health precautionary measures of the Prophet’s Mosque, and the gradual arrival of pilgrims and visitors from outside the Kingdom, and from countries decided by the Ministry. Health The absence of health risks related to the Corona pandemic.

* The fourth stage: allow the realization of Umrah, visitation and prayers for citizens and residents inside and outside the Kingdom, at 100% of the natural capacity of the Great Mosque and the Mosque of the Prophet, when the competent authority decides that it will eliminate the risks of the pandemic.

2- The entry of pilgrims, faithful and visitors is regulated through the application (Umrahna), which will be launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, with the aim of enforcing the health regulations and controls approved by the Ministry of Health and the competent authorities.

The source asked pilgrims, worshipers and visitors to adhere to preventive measures, apply instructions and health requirements, wear the muzzle and keep a safe distance, and do not touch.

He emphasized the Kingdom’s enthusiasm for empowering Rahman’s guests from within and outside the Kingdom. Establish the ritual in a safe and healthy way, in a way that complies with the prevention and spatial separation requirements necessary to guarantee human safety and protect it from the threats of this pandemic, and to achieve the objectives of Islamic law in the preservation of the soul human.

He explained that the stages announced in this statement will be subject to continuous evaluation, in accordance with the developments of the pandemic.