Covid SOPs relaxed for Great Mosque in Makkah, Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah

Jeddah: Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Thursday that the immunisation status check of people entering the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah had been scrapped.

The measures came into effect Thursday after the ministry reviewed the coronavirus situation at the two holy mosques, The Saudi Gazzate reported.

Apart from scrapping the immunisation check, the ministry also cancelled the requirement for registering the immunisation data to obtain Umrah permits for pilgrims from outside the Kingdom.

"Permits are no longer required to pray at the Grand Mosque or visit the Prophet’s Mosque, but it is still mandatory to obtain permits for performing Umrah and visit AlRawdah AlSharifa in the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah," the publication reported.

Although wearing masks is still mandatory, other social distancing measures at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque have been scrapped.

"The ministry also noted the abolition of the requirement to submit a PCR test upon arrival for foreign pilgrims and the abolition of the requirement of institutional quarantine and home quarantine for pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom," it added.

SOURCE: The Saudi Gazzate