Saudi Arabia to reopen its borders to pilgrims vaccinated against Covid-19
The Covid-19 epidemic has severely disrupted Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, important sources of income for the kingdom which bring in some $ 12 billion per year.
AFP
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Saudi Arabia will reopen the Omra pilgrimage (small pilgrimage) to Mecca to overseas pilgrims vaccinated against Covid-19, the official Saudi press agency reported on Sunday (August 8th).
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Saudi authorities will begin accepting applications for entry into the country from tomorrow Monday, the agency said.
The borders were closed some 18 months ago due to the pandemic.
The small pilgrimage, which unlike the Hajj can be performed throughout the year, normally attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year.
The Covid-19 epidemic has severely disrupted Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, important sources of income for the kingdom which bring in some $ 12 billion per year.
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Until now, only vaccinated pilgrims residing in Saudi Arabia were eligible for a permit to perform Umrah.
Foreign pilgrims wishing to travel to Mecca will also need to be vaccinated, with a serum recognized by Saudi Arabia, and submit to quarantine rules, the Saudi agency added, citing the ministry in charge of pilgrimages.
Saudi Arabia has invested billions in the tourism industry in recent years to diversify its oil economy.
Long reclusive, the kingdom issued its first tourist visas in 2019. Between September 2019 and the closure of borders in March 2020, it issued 400,000 tourist visas.
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To read also: Religious tourism devastated by the Covid-19
Since the onset of the health crisis, Saudi Arabia has officially recorded more than 5,321,000 cases of coronavirus and more than 8,300 deaths.
The government accelerated the vaccination campaign in early August, with the aim of reviving tourism and hosting sporting events and shows.
Vaccination is now compulsory to enter public and private establishments, including schools and places of entertainment, as well as to use public transport.
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To read also:
Saudi Arabia reopens its borders, vaccination is about to become the rule there
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