Local media reported that Saudi Arabia is moving toward a gradual reopening of Umrah, after a hiatus of about 6 months.
Because of the outbreak of the Corona virus in the world.
The Saudi newspaper Okaz said on its website, Tuesday, that it had learned that the plan previously announced by the Ministry of the Interior to gradually re-allow the performance of Umrah includes opening the door for internal pilgrims in limited numbers as a first stage.
She emphasized that the first stage will be in accordance with regulatory procedures and conditions, including the person wishing to perform Umrah to obtain a performance permit from the concerned authority.
It quoted an unnamed source that the plan for gradual return to Umrah will be based on an online application that specifies the date and time of performance, provided that the pilgrim has a documented medical report proving his safety from the Corona virus.
The same source indicated that the Ministry of Hajj will announce in the coming days the details and conditions for the gradual return of Umrah.
On Sunday, the Saudi Ministry of Interior stated that a plan will be announced to gradually allow the performance of Umrah, based on what is decided later in this regard independently in light of the developments related to the pandemic, without details.
Last March, Saudi Arabia decided to stop performing Umrah.
Because of Corona, the Kingdom recorded the arrival of two million 412 thousand and 572 pilgrims, in the latest census published by the official Saudi News Agency (SPA), on January 10.
And recently, Saudi Arabia embarked on a very limited Hajj season.
To face the repercussions of the Corona virus, it was restricted to residents within the Kingdom only.