In a phased reopening programme, Saudi Arabia allows 6,000 Muslim pilgrims living in the kingdom to perform Umrah at Islam's holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, under strict Covid-19 measures
The first group of Muslims, allowed in the mosque compound by appointment, practice social distancing, as they perform Umrah in the Grand Mosque, after Saudi authorities ease virus restrictions, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, October 3, 2020.
Saudi Arabia had instituted a freeze on pilgrimage due to concerns that it could easily have become a global super-spreader event for the virus.Last month, state media reported the kingdom will initially allow 6,000 local pilgrims to perform Umrah from October 4, 2020. The final phase starts in November and will allow visitors from specific countries deemed safe to perform Umrah at 100 percent of the revised capacity, until the end of the pandemic.The first group of Muslims, allowed in the mosque compound by appointment, arrive at the Grand Mosque to perform Umrah after Saudi authorities ease the coronavirus disease restrictions, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, October 3, 2020.
Tourism is a key pillar of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ambitious reform strategy to reduce the economy's dependence on oil.
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