Umrah reopen August 2021: Saudia Arabia has announced the reopening of Umrah for international pilgrims from 1st Muharram 1443 (August 10) after the completion of Hajj 2021.
Haramain Sharifain tweeted that the eligibility and requirements has been changed frequently due to evolving of fourth wave of COVID-19.
This year just 60,000 people, all citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia, had performed Hajj 2021 and foreign pilgrims were again barred due to fourth wave of covid-19 restrictions.
Some new rules have been set for pilgrims, including age limits are as follows:
- According to the new instructions, all countries must send direct flights except for nine countries (Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa and Lebanon). They require quarantine for 14 days in a third country before arriving in the kingdom.
- The vaccine is a mandatory requirement. Pilgrims must get Pfizer, Moderna, Astrazenca or Johnson & Johnson. Moreover, if someone received Chinese vaccine they need a booster shot of the vaccines.
- Pilgrims who are 18 years old and above will be allowed for Umrah.
