MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that it will gradually begin receiving Umrah requests from vaccinated foreign pilgrims starting Monday, reported Saudi Press agency (SPA).

Citing the Deputy Minister of Haj and Umrah, Dr Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, the report said permits would be issued to up to 60,000 umrah pilgrims per month and the number will gradually be increased to two million per month.

Permits will be issued through the Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications, amid an integrated system of services and preventive measures, taken by the Kingdom for the safety and health of those wishing to perform the umrah rituals and visit.

Mashat said the ministry worked in coordination with other concerned authorities prior to the start of the Umrah season 2021/2022, to put in place executive mechanisms and create a safe and accessible environment for the pilgrims throughout their journey.

He pointed out that the ministry was working, in coordination with competent authorities, to determine the countries from which the pilgrims come, and their numbers on a periodic basis according to the classification of preventive measures, and the requirements for the countries from which the pilgrims and visitors come to the Kingdom.

Pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom must present an authorised COVID-19 vaccination certificate from the official authorities in the pilgrim's country. The certificate must be attached with the request to preform the rituals, with the condition that the vaccines are approved in the Kingdom.

Regarding the standard of safe transportation services, he explained that the number of passengers on a bus will not exceed 50 per cent capacity of the vehicle, while maintaining a safe distance inside the buses, providing sterilisers, and making sure of the permits issued by the Etamarna and Tawakalna apps before boarding the bus.

-- BERNAMA