Hajj 2020: Saudi Arabia announces Hajj health measures for domestic pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has announced health protocols to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in the 2020 Hajj season, banning gatherings and meetings between pilgrims,

According to a statement by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), touching the holy Kaaba will be banned during Hajj this year, and a social distancing space of a metre and a half between each pilgrim during the rituals including mass prayers and while in the Kaaba circling area will be imposed.

The statement further adds that the access to holy Hajj sites at Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat will be limited to those with hajj permits starting Sunday, July 19 till Aug. 2, 2020, and wearing masks all the time will be mandatory for both pilgrims and organizers.

Read More : Malaysia, Indonesia pull out of Hajj 2020 due to coronavirus pandemic

It was earlier in June when Saudi Arabia decided to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending the Hajj to around 1,000 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus,

This is for the first time in the modern era that Muslims from abroad are barred from the rite of performing Hajj amid coronavirus pandemic.