JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia has announced the gradual resumption of Umrah and visits to the Two Holy Mosques with a limited number of pilgrims, starting from Oct. 4, 2020, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday citing a statement from the Ministry of Interior. The ministry said that the decision was taken following the assessment of coronavirus developments and in response to the aspirations of many Muslims at home and abroad to perform Umrah. In the first phase, citizens and expatriates from within the Kingdom will be allowed to perform Umrah at a capacity of 30 percent from Oct. 4 that translates to 6,000 pilgrims per day. In the second phase, citizens and expatriates inside the Kingdom will be allowed to perform Umrah, visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, and pray in Two Holy Mosques starting from October 18, with a 75 percent capacity limit, In the third phase, pilgrims from abroad would be allowed to perform Umrah as of Nov. 1 with a full capacity of 20,000 pilgrims and 60,000 worshipers per day and it will continue until the official end of the coronavirus pandemic or the official announcement that the danger is over.
