MAKKAH — Government agencies in Makkah have completed preparations to receive Umrah pilgrims and worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan with people vaccinated against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) permitted entry into Makkah.

The permits and immunization through vaccine need to be shown by the Tawakkalna application with the worshippers also committing to health protocols and precautionary measures, as well as preventive procedures followed in the Two Holy Mosques.

Immune people to COVID-19 include those who have received two doses of a vaccine, those who have spent 14 days after receiving the first dose, and those who have recovered from infection.The plan of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques focused on intensifying precautionary procedures and preventive measures to ensure the safety of worshippers and Umrah performers, and following health regulations that were recommended by specialized authorities in a bid to preserve the safety and health of visitors of the Two Holy Mosques.

The Presidency President Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Bin Al-Sudais said that the plan was based on several aspects, such as administrative, supervisory and workforce; scientific and guidance; logistic, operational and engineering; media and institutional communication; digital and translation; development; social activity; precautionary; integration, coordination and monitoring; and an aspect related to women.

He also stressed that the Presidency harnesses its full operational capacity to serve Umrah performers during the holy month of Ramadan and has allocated the Mataf courtyard for Umrah performers only, urging Umrah performers to completely abide by timings mentioned on their permits issued by Etamarna application, wearing facemasks and observing social distancing.

The General Administration for Safety and Security at the Grand Mosque has discussed proactive plans it has drawn up with the aim of implementing social distancing in places of worship during Ramadan.

Director of the administration, affiliated with the Presidency Fayez Bin Abdulrahman Al-Harthi, explained that security and corridor departments are working on organizing worshipers in designated prayer halls after making sure they are sterilized and disinfected with employees applying social distancing rules and preventing measures at the Grand Mosque.

Al-Harthi also pointed out that there are security and safety committees inside the prayer halls overseeing the organization and reception of worshippers at entrance gates and making sure they have the Tawakkalna COVID-19 app installed on their mobile phones in addition to handling the thermal detection through thermal imaging cameras and preventing gatherings and mass crowding all within precautionary measures implemented to contain the spread of the coronavirus. — SPA