Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Permits for Umrah and visits to the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque during the month of Ramadan will be issued only to those who have been vaccinated against coronavirus, according to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

An official source at the ministry clarified on Monday that the permits will be issued effective from Ramadan 1 for immunized persons as shown in the Tawakkalna application, including those who have spent 14 days after getting their first dose of the vaccine, or those who have recovered from coronavirus.

The source said that the procedure for getting permits for Umrah as well as for prayers and visits to the Two Holy Mosques must be completed through the Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications by reserving the available time slot and that is in line with the possible operational capacity in compliance with the precautionary measures.

Showing the permits and verifying their validity will be through the Tawakkalna application directly from the account of the permit holder in the application.

It has been decided to raise the operational capacity of the Grand Mosque in Makkah during Ramadan, the ministry source said while noting that this is based on the Saudi leadership’s keenness on the health and safety of those who visit the Two Holy Mosques and those who are serving them during the fasting month with adhering to all precautionary measures and preventive protocols to stem the spread of coronavirus.

The source urged all the faithful to get permits issued only through the approved Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications and warned against relying on fake websites and campaigns.