Categories: World

Saudi to reopen Mecca facilities for visitors in Oct

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have allowed facilities in Mecca to reopen for visitors starting from next month after months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, the media reported.

President- General for Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque Abdulrahman Al Sudais has directed the gradual reopening of the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kaaba Kiswa, the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques' Architecture and the Grand Mosque Library, Gulf News reported on Saturday citing state-media.

Al Sudais underlined the necessity of complying with precautionary measures recommended by health authorities to protect visitors' safety.

Saudi Arabia has recently eased several virus-related restrictions.

Last week, authorities unveiled a plan for gradual resumption of Umrah (Islamic pilgrimage) and visits to the two holy mosques in Mecca and Medina, starting from next month.

Saudis and foreign residents in the Kingdom will be allowed in the first phase beginning October 4 to perform Umrah at a capacity of 30 per cent amid health precautions.

Foreigners will be allowed to visit Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah from November 1..

IANS

Recent Posts

EAM Jaishankar to visit US from December 24-29

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit the US from December 24-29 to discuss key…

34 minutes ago

Balochistan: Medical students protest campus closure, security crackdown

Students at the Bolan Medical College (BMC) in Balochistan's Quetta entered the 27th day of…

1 hour ago

Climate change, health risks escalate amid surge in PoGB deforestation

The intensifying cutting of trees for firewood in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) is not only worsening…

3 hours ago

India’s retired judges, bureaucrats call for “immediate end” to attacks on minorities in open letter to Bangladesh

A group of retired judges, bureaucrats, Army officials and other civil society members have penned…

3 hours ago

Israel, Slovakia sign historic USD 582 million deal to boost Air Defense capabilities

Israel and Slovakia signed a 2 billion shekel (USD 582 million) agreement on Monday to…

4 hours ago

Pakistan: Protests continue in Kurram over road closures amid crisis

Protests against the prolonged road closures in Kurram persisted on Sunday, as residents held a…

4 hours ago