Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — About 500 Umrah service companies and establishments and more than 6,000 foreign Umrah agents are geared up to receive vaccinated foreign Umrah pilgrims effective from Aug. 9 (Muharram 1).

The aspiring pilgrims can book Umrah packages and make all the payments through around 30 electronic sites and platforms that are available for global reservations, according to Hani Ali Al-Amiri, member of the National Committee for Hajj and Umrah.

Only those who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus can apply for an Umrah visa. Umrah aspirants also need to be in excellent health conditions and must comply with protocols aimed to ensure the safety of the pilgrims coming from abroad, the committee member said in a statement.

Amiri said that all services and packages are available online and can be availed on global and local booking platforms approved by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah through a B2B (business-to-business) group system or through a B2C (business-to-consumer) individual system, while Saudi Umrah companies offer housing, transportation, and all ground services packages.

He said that pilgrims can select an Umrah service company or establishment and can purchase the entire program of flight, transportation, hotels, and meals on electronic platforms.

He noted that some of the qualified Umrah companies and establishments are fully geared up to receive pilgrims with completing all the preventive health and crowd management courses for their staffers while the rest of them are in the process of completing the procedures specified by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the other relevant authorities.