Hajj pilgrims, who have arrived in the holy city of Makkah, were spending time in isolation ahead of the day of Tarwiya.
The day of Tarwiya is when the pilgrims head from Makkah to Mina.
Pilgrims have been arriving in Makkah from the cities of Madinah, Riyadh, Abha, Tabuk and Jazan. The Hajj was limited this year to some 1,000 people residing in Saudi Arabia, both citizens and residents, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Health measures and precautions are in place every step of the way as the pilgrims embark on their holy journey.
Deputy Hajj and Umrah Minister Dr. Abdul Fattah Mashat stressed the “complete coordination” between the Health and Interior Ministries in implementing health and security protocols.
In remarks to the Saudi Press Agency, he said that pilgrims from 160 nationalities were going to perform this year’s rituals.
He said pilgrims were chosen through an electronic portal, denying that some applicants were preferred over others. Only those who met the required health standards were selected.
He also underscored the importance of the pilgrims wearing the specialized electronic bracelet that ensures their implementation of home isolation.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for Hajj Affairs Dr. Hussein bin Nasser Al-Sharif said the process of receiving pilgrims took place smoothly and efficiently.
Complete coordination is in place between the Hajj and Umrah, Health and Media ministries, as well as the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the traffic directorate (Moroor) and Saudi Arabian Airlines, in receiving pilgrims, he added.
Another batch of pilgrims, who are members of the health and security sectors who have recovered from the coronavirus, is expected to arrive in Makkah on Tuesday, he revealed.
