Hajj security forces commanders announced preparedness to achieve security and safety for pilgrims during this year's season in a way that realizes the directives and aspirations of the leadership aimed at providing all the mechanized and human capacities to pilgrims to be able to perform Hajj rituals with security, safety, comfort and stability. During a press conference that was held yesterday at the headquarters of the National Center for Security Operations "911" in Al-Awali in Makkah, the forces commanders stressed that the Ministry of Interior has organizational and security responsibilities. Maj. Gen. Zayed bin Abdulrahman Al-Tuwayan, Assistant Director of the General Directorate of the Public Security and Commander of the Hajj and Umrah Special Forces, said that the Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Public Security and participating sectors, has completed preparations to implement their tasks during this year's Hajj season safely and securely. He noted that limiting the number of pilgrims was a right decision due to the risks imposed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, stressing that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can manage millions of humans, but the pandemic was the reason for limiting the number of pilgrims. As a result, the General Directorate of Public Security has prepared its plans according to these circumstances, reiterating that entry to the Grand Holy Mosque or holy sites will not be allowed but to those with permits through security checkpoints that were set at the entrances of the Makkah and holy sites. Maj. Gen. Al-Tuwayan reviewed main characteristics of this year's plan, including receiving pilgrims through four entrances in Makkah, including Al-Shmeisi and Al-Tanim road, the entrance of Al-Seil road, the entrance of Al-Hada road and those coming on the train, where arrivals will be sorted and relevant forces will check their permits before being transported through busses from these locations. He added that no person will be allowed to move individually to the Grand Holy Mosque. Pilgrims will be transported on July 17 and 18 before being sorted again at the Jamaraat square. Al-Tuwayan said that special permits will be issued for workers in Hajj and will be connected to Tawakkalna application, where they have to be immunized against the virus. Al-Tuwayan stressed that whoever violates regulations or procedures for this year's Hajj will face penalties, confirming the full preparedness of security forces to carry out their tasks to serve pilgrims. For his part, Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz bin Misad, Assistant Commander of the Hajj and Umrah Special Forces for Road Security, presented a briefing on the most important tasks of road security, noting that road security is responsible for the security checkpoints at the Makkah entrances and holy sites through 10 centers. Maj. Gen. Misad said that this year's Hajj saw the inception of an undercover force for patrols that works to ensure enforcing preventive measures for road users, in addition to benefiting from modern and advanced technologies through electronic applications and monitoring vehicles electronically to ensure their legal entry, stressing the importance of commitment by all. For his part, Commander of the Civil Defense Maj. Gen. Hmoud bin Suleiman Al-Faraj said that the directorate has completed its preparations and now is ready to apply all general and detailed plans, in addition to the emergency plan. He noted that the plan has several aspects, including the preventive aspect that is related to offering all safety requirements and conditions in all locations of pilgrims at the holy sites and in Makkah through the four assembly locations, in addition to the construction sites and providing safety measures in them to avoid any fires. He added that there will be patrols for security and safety to preserve the security and comfort of pilgrims and their locations round the clock, noting that the plan includes stationing civil defense forces at all sites of Hajj in the holy sites, Makkah and the Grand Holy Mosque and will be provided with the qualified human resources and modern vehicles, in addition to having a rapid response force for emergencies. Maj. Gen. Al-Faraj noted that there is a comprehensive system between the Civil Defense Directorate and all public and relevant departments to Hajj to carry out their respective tasks well through an emergency coordination center that comprises all sides working in Hajj. Commander of the Passport Forces in Hajj Maj. Gen. Saleh bin Saad Al-Mirbi said that the directorate has formed seasonal administrative committees that work around the clock at four centers in Makkah, including Al-Shmeisi Center, Al-Tanim Center, Al-Bheitah Center and Al-Karr Center to issue immediate administrative decisions against violating carriers who transfer pilgrims without permits. He noted that the penalties against those who transfer of pilgrims without permits for the first time reach SAR 10,000 for each pilgrim and imprisonment for 15 days for each pilgrim that was carried without a permit and deporting the carrier if he is a non-Saudi after serving the penalty term, and he will be banned from entry to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia according to the period set in the law, in addition to issuing a judicial decision to confiscate the used transport mean if it belongs to the carrier. If the violation is perpetrated for a second time, the fine will be SAR 25,000 for each pilgrim that was transported without a permit, two-month prison term and deporting the transporter if he is a non-Saudi after serving the penalty term and he will be banned from entry to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia according to the period set in the law, in addition to issuing a judicial decision to confiscate the used transport mean. If the violation is perpetrated for a third time, the fine will be SAR 50,000 for each pilgrim that was transported without a permit, six-month prison term and deporting the transporter if he is a non-Saudi after serving the penalty term and he will be banned from entry to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia according to the period set in the law, in addition to issuing a judicial decision to confiscate the used transport mean.
