Hajj 1441H with Very Limited Numbers
Saudi Arabia Limit Around
1,000 Pilgrims this
year
Dr. Mozammel Haque
Saudi
Arabia limits more or less 1,000 pilgrims this year. The
Ministry of Hajj announced on Saudi Television that they will allow around 1,000
only between Saudis and foreign residents. None from outside will be allowed.
No mention of 10,000; only one thousand.
Another precautionary measure will be taken. After the
completion of the Hajj the pilgrims will be taken to 2 weeks (14 days) quarantine
before releasing them.
Being
conscious of the global pandemic, Saudi Arabia has taken the following measures
to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. Hajj
pilgrim numbers could be limited to less or more than 1,000 to protect public
health in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Saudi authorities,
reported in Jeddah-based English daily Arab News.
It added, “Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah told a
press conference on Tuesday (23 June 2020) that compulsory isolation before and
after the pilgrimage will also be enforced. He said Saudi Arabia is capable of
ensuring pilgrims’ safety this year.”
“The health ministry has accumulated experience in the
service of pilgrims, and thus has enough human and technical capacities to
serve pilgrims and preserve their health,” the Hajj Minister said and added
that an integrated hospital at holy sites will be provided, along with a health
centre in Arafat in case of emergencies during Hajj.”
It is also reported in the Arab News, the Health
Minister Al-Rabiah said limiting the number of pilgrims this year is important.
“Only people residing in the Kingdom, who are under 65 years of age and who do
not have chronic diseases will be allowed to perform Hajj this year. They will
get tested before arriving to the holy sites and will be subject to
self-isolation after performing Hajj,” he said. He added that those serving
pilgrims during Hajj will also be tested.
According to Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Muhammad
Saleh Benten, “all pilgrims will be tested before they reach the holy sites and
only Muslims under the age of 65 will be allowed to perform the exercise. All
pilgrims will be asked to self-quarantine after they complete the Hajj rituals.
“All workers and volunteers will be tested before the Hajj
pilgrimage begins. The health status of all pilgrims will be monitored daily
just as hospital has been prepared for any emergency that occurs during the
pilgrimage. Social distancing measures will be enforced.”
The Minister of Hajj explained that
the procedures for spacing and avoiding the large crowds will be implemented
for pilgrims, stressing the existence of "exceptional" implementation
plans for this year's pilgrimage.
He added that the decision to limit numbers to less or more
than 1,000 “was taken based on the Kingdom’s principles and past experience in
managing Hajj. The main aim is preserving the health and safety of pilgrims in
light of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is a delicate process and we are working with experts
at the health ministry, the interior ministry and other authorities to ensure a
safe Hajj,” Bentin said.
Every year, about 2.5 million Muslims visit the holiest
sites of Islam in Makkah and Madinah.
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