Saudi Arabia to increase capacity for Ramadan, issue Umrah permits for vaccinated pilgrims

Pilgrims and worshippers vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed into the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said on Monday.

Umrah permits and visit permits for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah will increase operational capacity during the month of Ramadan, which starts next week.

The permits will be granted to those who have received two vaccination jabs, those who have received their first jab and 14 days have passed, or those who have had the virus and recovered.

Each person’s vaccination status will need to be registered on Saudi Arabia’s COVID-19 app, Tawakkalna. The app was launched last year to help track coronavirus infections.

Those who wish to visit the two mosques or perform Umrah, according to the Ministry’s statement, will have to register via the Tawakkalna app and the Umrah app Eatmarna.

Registrations will be accommodated as per the space and availability of the two mosques and in accordance with health restrictions.

The ministry said the Tawakkalna and Eatmarna apps will be the only official platforms available to issue permits and warned the public against resorting to bogus websites and applications.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, said the authority was ready to receive Umrah pilgrims and visitors at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque during Ramadan, with coronavirus measures in place to ensure public safety.

He said that the health status of all employees at the authority have been checked, and all the plans and programs for all agencies affiliated with the presidency have been launched to “provide the finest and best services to visitors.”