The government of Saudi Arabia has decided to increase this year’s Hajj pilgrimage capacity to one million pilgrims from Saudi Arabia and abroad. According to Ministry of Hajj pilgrimage and Umrah, the annual pilgrimage would only be allowed for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and are under the age of 65.

It further said that the intending pilgrims from abroad will also have to submit a negative PCR test for COVID-19, using a sample taken within 72 hours before departure to Saudi Arabia.

The ministry said Saudi Arabia is also aiming to safeguard the milestones it achieved in the healthcare sector as it grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic.