Saudi Arabia opens Hajj to fully vaccinated pilgrims younger than 65 years, after 2 years of restrictions imposed due to Coronavirus.
After two years of dramatically reduced hajj pilgrims due to pandemic restrictions, Saudi Arabia is allowing 1 million Muslims from within and outside the kingdom to participate in this year’s hajj. It is a requirement for all Muslims who can afford it to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetimes.
About 2.5 million people in 2019 took part in Hajj, making it one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. However, Saudi officials only let 1,000 pilgrims participate in the 2020 coronavirus pandemic after its commencement. The next year, they increased the number of participants to 60,000 people, all of whom were randomly selected from a pool of eligible applicants.
There will be a 65-year-old age restriction on participation in the hajj in July this year.A negative COVID-19 PCR result from a test done within 72 hours of arrival will be necessary for visitors from countries other than Saudi Arabia arriving at the airport.
It is the government’s goal to ensure the safety of pilgrims while guaranteeing that as many Muslims as possible can make the hajj.
