Saudi Arabia to allow 1m Hajj pilgrims as COVID restrictions are eased

 Mecca Macca Kaaba

10 April 2022; MEMO: Pilgrims arriving from overseas must also submit a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before their departure to the kingdom.

Saudi authorities want to promote pilgrims' safety "while ensuring that the maximum number of Muslims worldwide can perform the Hajj," the ministry's statement added.

At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, only 1,000 pilgrims were able to take part in the Hajj. This limit was increased to 60,000 last year for fully vaccinated, domestic participants.

Prior to the pandemic, around 2.5 million people from around the world would take part in the pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Pilgrims arriving from overseas must also submit a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before their departure to the kingdom.

Saudi authorities want to promote pilgrims' safety "while ensuring that the maximum number of Muslims worldwide can perform the Hajj," the ministry's statement added.

At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, only 1,000 pilgrims were able to take part in the Hajj. This limit was increased to 60,000 last year for fully vaccinated, domestic participants.

Prior to the pandemic, around 2.5 million people from around the world would take part in the pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.