Saudi Arabia to require COVID-19 vaccine for this year's hajj

Al-Monitor Staff

A Saudi man waits for the arrival of relatives at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital Riyadh on the first commercial flight from Qatar, on January 11, 2021. - Following a Gulf diplomatic thaw, air travel between Qatar and Saudi Arabia has been resumed according to the countries' airlines, a major landmark as Doha's former Gulf rivals normalise ties under a landmark agreement. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images) — A Saudi man waits for the arrival of relatives at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on the first commercial flight from Qatar, on Jan. 11, 2021. — FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Only pilgrims who have received a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed to attend the upcoming hajj, Saudi Arabia Health Ministry announced this week.

“You must prepare early to secure the manpower required to operate the health facilities in Makkah, the holy sites and Madinah, and the entry points for pilgrims for the 2021 Hajj season,” Saudi Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said in an official circular carried by Arab News.

“A vaccination committee must be formed for the Hajj and Umrah season, on which they have adopted the compulsory reception of the COVID-19 vaccine for participating health care workers,” he added.

Saudi Arabia limited the hajj to roughly 1,000 socially distanced citizens and foreign residents last July, with Muslims outside the country unable to attend. The Saudi government hasn’t said whether it will again limit the number of pilgrims in 2021.

Saudi Arabia to require COVID-19 vaccine for this year's hajj

The Saudi government is mandating pilgrims be vaccinated but hasn't yet said whether attendance will be limited.

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