JEDDAH — In an initiative to help revive the hotel sector in Makkah, drastically suffering a recess due to coronavirus, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has authorized hotels surrounding the courtyards of the Grand Holy Mosque to issue Umrah permits for their guests during the holy month of Ramadan, it was reported here Tuesday.

The measure is set to be carried out by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, jointly with the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence via apps of “Eatmarna” and “Tawakkalna”, provided that the invitees strictly meet regulatory requirements and health protocols approved, the report said.

In a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdelfattah Bin Sulaiman Mashat, stressed that these procedures will play a role in activating the investment process of the hotel sector, investments that are largely dependent on Hajj and Umrah seasons, and have drastically been affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic following the enforcement of strict precautionary measures and preventive protocols taken by the government to preserve the health of visitors.

For his part, Chairman of the Hotel Committee, an affiliate of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rayan Bin Osama Filali, explained that 1,800 hotels and more than 250,000 housing units are being prepared in Makkah to receive Umrah performers, upon related touristy accommodation facilities protocols. — SPA