Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia sets rules for foreign pilgrims to repeat Umrah

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Haj and Umrah has set three conditions for foreign pilgrims to repeat Umrah, Saudi Gazette reported early on Thursday morning.

The conditions include the confirmed reservation for a group of pilgrims, who wish to perform the pilgrimage for a second time. This should be in conjunction with the arrangements made by the licensed Umrah service-providing firms, the Makkah newspaper reported by quoting the ministry sources.

The ministry said that every foreign pilgrim who arrives in the Kingdom would have at least one confirmed Umrah permit.

If they wish to repeat Umrah for a second time, they must do so in a group and not as individuals.

The ministry does not oppose people repeating Umrah, as long as this is arranged with licensed Umrah companies.

Pilgrims cannot book their places individually, however, but the process must be undertaken via the Eatmarna app.

The ministry says it expects there could be a drop in the number of Umrah permit applicants from domestic pilgrims in the next phases of the gradual resumption of Umrah service.

The ministry said this was due to the fact that a large number of domestic pilgrims have already performed Umrah during the first and second phases of the resumption.

Saudi Arabia resumed Umrah in October following a six-month hiatus due to the coronavirus crisis.