The official media reported today, Saturday, that Saudi Arabia decided to raise the number of pilgrims this year to one million pilgrims from inside and outside the Kingdom, according to the quotas allocated to countries, taking into account health recommendations, after two years of severe restrictions related to Covid-19.
The Saudi Press Agency quoted the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah as saying that this year's Hajj will be for the age group less than 65 years, with the requirement to complete immunization with basic doses of Covid-19 vaccines approved by the Ministry of Health.
The ministry added that those coming for Hajj from outside the Kingdom are required to submit a negative PCR test result for the Corona virus for a sample taken within 72 hours before the date of departure to the Kingdom.
The ministry stressed the need for pilgrims to abide by precautionary measures and follow preventive instructions while performing their rituals in order to preserve their health and safety.
Last year, the kingdom limited the pilgrimage to 60,000 pilgrims, compared to 2.5 million before the pandemic.
According to official data, the Hajj and Umrah rituals used to generate about $12 billion annually in the Kingdom.