The Government of Saudi Arabia has made a 14-day gap compulsory before booking another date for Umrah.

According to the details, Dr. Amr Al-Maddah, the Chief planning, and strategy officer of the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, said in his recent statement that Pilgrims can perform Umrah twice, but must wait 14 days before performing Umrah the second time, to give a chance to everyone to perform Umrah in line with the necessary precautionary measures brought about by the coronavirus.”

He said the ministry is studying the available spots that can be used by the pilgrims to perform Umrah while maintaining social distancing, ensuring health protocols.

Al-Maddah said that so far 35,000 requests have been registered to perform Umrah. Pilgrims will start performing Umrah on Oct. 4 within the first stage of the Umrah plan this year, in line with health protocols and procedures.

In the first phase, pilgrims will perform Umrah at six different times a day, giving each pilgrim three hours.

The Minister added that between the sunset and evening prayers, pilgrims will not be allowed to perform Umrah and, instead, this period will be allocated to cleaning and disinfecting.

“Pilgrims will start performing Umrah at midnight, with the place disinfected before the arrival of each group.”

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Arrangements Completed

On the other hand, the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance has completed arrangements to prepare miqats (pilgrim stations) in order to receive worshippers and visitors performing Umrah at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

The measures included placing social distancing floor stickers to maintain 2-meter spacing between pilgrims, 24-hour disinfection of mattresses, entrances, surfaces, and bathrooms, and setting up signboards in different languages at miqat entrances.

In addition to this, the ministry assigned 769 employees, workers, technicians, and observers at all miqats in Makkah and Madinah, to participate in awareness and guidance work.