The Saudi government has imposed new restrictions for overseas pilgrims planning to perform Umrah. If you are coming from abroad, you must be aged between 18 to 50 years old and double vaxxed against Covid-19.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has launched a new service, which means that overseas pilgrims can get permits to perform Umrah and visit the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. Overseas pilgrims can get the permits through the health apps Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications.
On the apps, a new icon titled tawaf will be added, which will allow people to book appointments to perform tawaf. There will also be options on the app to book appointments to kiss the Black Stone (Al-Hajar Al-Aswad), touch the Yemeni Corner (Al-Rukn Al-Yamaani), and perform prayers at Hijr Ismail.
Commander of the Special Forces for the Security of Hajj and Umrah Major General Muhammad Al-Bassami revealed that tawaf for non-pilgrims will be available outside the times of prayers, between 6am to 10am and from noon to 3pm.
أطلقنا لكم خدمة جديدة وجميلة، تستطيعون من خلالها تجنب أوقات الذروة عند طلب تصريح أداء العمرة.
يمكنكم تحديث تطبيقي "#اعتمرنا و #توكلنا" وسيتاح لكم معرفة الأوقات.
متجر أبل: https://t.co/zChVM4orxdقوقل بلاي: https://t.co/muH4PItFza pic.twitter.com/7qpYbY9H3A
— وزارة الحج والعمرة (@HajMinistry) November 17, 2021
Planning your visit? You must make sure that you have been jabbed with a vaccine that is recognised by Saudi Arabia and have an official vaccination certificate. According to vaccination rules in Saudi Arabia, approved vaccines include Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca.
Pilgrims should also make sure that they have signed up to a licensed travel consultant when booking their Umrah package. When visiting the Grand Mosque and its courtyards, visitors must make sure they are wearing a mask at all times.
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