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Authorities in Saudi Arabia on Monday said only people immunised against COVID-19 will be allowed to perform the year-round Umrah pilgrimage, starting from the holy month of Ramadan.
A statement issued on Monday by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said only “immunised people” will be granted permission to perform Umrah as well as pray in the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca.
The statement said those who will be granted permits include people who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine; those who have received one dose of the vaccine for at least 14 days before performing the pilgrimage, and those who have recovered from the infection.