The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in Saudi Arabia, has set five foreign agents, for each Umrah service providing company, in every country from which pilgrims will be arriving.

Mazen Darar, a member of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the interaction between the Umrah companies and their foreign agents would largely be the same as it had been prior to the global coronavirus outbreak: foreign agents will manage the reservations for the Umrah package and the issuing of Umrah visas procedures , while the Umrah companies will carry out the other functions involved.

According to the Saudi Gazette more health protocols have been added to the Umrah pilgrimage in the ongoing third phase of the gradual resumption of Umrah service.

Al Darar said that group supervisors and health practitioners must accompany the pilgrims in all phases of the pilgrimage, from their arrival in the Kingdom up until their departure. This includes visits to the two Holy Mosques. The regulations stipulate  that pilgrims must have a PCR medical test certificate showing that they are free from coronavirus, issued by a reliable laboratory in their country, not more than 72 hours from  old.

The Umrah package for each pilgrim must include accommodation for the 3 day quarantine period immediately after arrival in the Kingdom (usually at the hotel the pilgrim will be staying at). Also necessary for inclusion are transportation service from the entry ports , transportation between the Grand Mosque and accommodation, and one leader and a guide accompanying each group.

Educating the pilgrims about coronavirus precautionary measures and preventive protocols features among the duties of the Umrah service providers and their foreign agents from the arrival of the pilgrims, until they leave the Kingdom.

Each group of pilgrims will consist of 50 members. The agents are to be responsible appointing one leader and a guide for each group.

The third phase of the gradual resumption of Umrah services allows for 20 000 Umrah pilgrims and 60 000 worshippers to enter the Grand Mosque in Makkah daily. The rituals will be performed in groups.

The Saudi Gazette reports that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that the maximum period of stay for foreign pilgrims in the Kingdom is 10 days only. December 31 is the last day to make reservations, using the I’tamarna app. Foreign pilgrims between 18 and 50 years will be permitted to perform the Umrah.

The Saudi Gazette reports that the ministry says it will consider increasing the number of foreign agents should the situation warrant it.

Umm Muhammed Umar