COVID-19: Saudi Arabia makes new decision on 2020 Hajj Pilgrimage

The government of Saudi Arabia has made new decision on 2020 Hajj Pilgrimage.

The country has announced that only those in the country will be allowed to perform hajj for this year, 2020.

In a statement on Monday, Saudi ministry of hajj and umrah said the decision was taken to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The ministry said the country is committed to ensuring social distancing during the pilgrimage.

“It has been decided that Hajj for this year (1441 H/ 2020 AD) will be held whereby a very limited number of pilgrims from various nationalities who already reside in Saudi Arabia would be able to perform it,” the statement read.

“This decision is taken to ensure Hajj is performed in a safe manner from a public health perspective while observing all preventive measures and the necessary social distancing protocols to protect human beings from the risks associated with this pandemic and in accordance with the teachings of Islam in preserving the lives of human beings.”

Many countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Senegal and Singapore have announced that their citizens will not attend hajj this year.

Some other countries have advised their citizens to avoid participating in this year’s pilgrimage.

About 2.5 million pilgrims normally travel to the city of Mecca for the annual pilgrimage.

Onyxnews Nigeria had reported earlier this year that Saudi Arabia had suspended the issuance of visa to pilgrims wishing to perform Umrah (lesser hajj) over coronavirus.

Umrah is a pilgrimage performed by Muslims at any time of the year, while Hajj is a pilgrimage Muslim faithful are expected to perform at least once in a lifetime.

Saudi Arabia has confirmed over 161,000 of the deadly coronavirus cases with not more than 1,300 deaths.