Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Thursday that the capacity of Umrah pilgrims has been raised to 100,000 on a daily basis.

The daily capacity of worshipers who will be allowed to perform prayer at the Grand Mosque has also been increased to 60,000.

The ministry’s announcement coincides with the decision to allow domestic pilgrims above the age of 70 years to perform Umrah for the first time since the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.

With this, all the faithful from the age of 12 and above can perform Umrah if they are vaccinated against coronavirus.

Those faithful between the ages of 12 and 18 and above the age of 70 must be immune by two doses of vaccinations while there are exemptions for pilgrims in other age groups to perform Umrah and prayer at the Grand Mosque if they are immune by one dose of vaccine or recovered from infection of coronavirus.

The ministry noted that the increase in the capacity of pilgrims will be strictly in compliance with the precautionary measures and preventive protocols to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Pilgrims and worshipers can book appointment for permit to perform Umrah and prayer at the Grand Mosque through the Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications.