Manama: The second phase of the Umrah pilgrimage, which starts on October 18, will accommodate 2,50,000 domestic pilgrims. Foreign pilgrims to be allowed in the third phase starting from November 1, a media report said.
Worshipers will also be allowed to visit Al Rawdah Al Sharifa and the old mosque area at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, National Committee for Hajj and Umrah member Hani Al Omairi said.
Apart from the 250,000 Umrah pilgrims, more than 600,000 worshipers will be granted permits to perform prayers at the Grand Mosque during the second phase of the gradual resumption of Umrah service and visits to the two holy mosques, he said. The second phase will witness a 75 percent increase in the operational capacity and the number of pilgrims.
Worshipers need to register on Eatmarna App to obtain permits to perform Umrah as well as to visit the Grand Mosque and Rawdah Sharif, Al Omairi added.
Along with Umrah, foreign pilgrims from abroad will be permitted to visit holy mosques from November, which marks the beginning of the third phase of the gradual lifting of the temporary suspension of the pilgrimage, report added. The mechanism for the quota selection from countries will be announced later. The Hajj ministry said 1,08,041 people had already been issued permits for Umrah.
Buses transporting pilgrims will be permitted to operate 40 per cent capacity. As part of the covid-19 protocols, only two pilgrims are allowed in a single room.
On October 4, Saudi Arabia resumed Umrah pilgrimage after a more-than-six-month hiatus. Domestic pilgrims –including citizens and residents-were allowed to enter the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to perform the rituals amid strict coronavirus precautions.
According to the first phase, 6,000 pilgrims are being admitted per day. Each batch has three hours to finish the rituals. The Grand Mosque sterilized 10 times every day including after entry and exit of each batch of pilgrims. And Zamzam water has been delivered in packaged bottles.
The Tawaf (circumambulation around the Kaaba) is outside the temporary barrier around the Kaaba in the mataf.
In late February, Saudi Arabia announced the temporary suspension of entry for individuals seeking to perform Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca or visiting the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, as part of the measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. On March 4, the Kingdom also suspended Umrah pilgrimage for its citizens and residents.
Saudi is the worst-hit country in terms of coronavirus cases and deaths in the Gulf. So far, 3,40,089 people have been infected with the virus. Of these, 5,087 people died. 3,26,339 people were cured. In Saudi new coronavirus infection has dropped drastically, which allowed the authorities to lift the restriction gradually.
