RIYADH: Saudi authorities said on Monday only people immunised against Covid-19 would be allowed to perform Umrah from the start of Ramazan.

The Haj and Umrah ministry said in a statement that three categories of people would be considered “immunised” -- those who have received two doses of the vaccine, those administered a single dose at least 14 days prior, and people who have recovered from the infection.

Only those people will be eligible for permits to perform Umrah, as well as to attend prayers at Makkah’s Grand Mosque and Masjid-i-Nabavi, in Madina.

It was also not clear whether the policy, which comes amid an uptick in coronavirus infections in Saudi Arabia, would be extended to Haj.

Saudi Arabia has reported more than 393,000 coronavirus infections and 6,700 deaths from Covid-19.

The health ministry said it had administered more than five million coronavirus vaccines, in a country with a population of over 34 million.

Last month, King Salman replaced the Haj minister, months after the country hosted the smallest Haj in modern history due to the pandemic.

Mohammad Benten was relieved from his post and replaced by Essam bin Saeed.

Only 10,000 residents of Saudi Arabia itself were allowed to take part, a far cry from the 2.5 million pilgrims from around the world who performed Haj in 2019.

It is unclear how many pilgrims will be allowed for Haj this year.

According to the pro-government Okaz newspaper, only vaccinated pilgrims will likely be permitted this year.

In a relaxation of coronavirus curbs last October, Saudi Arabia opened the Grand Mosque for prayers for the first time in seven months and partially resumed Umrah.

Authorities said the Umrah would be allowed to return to full capacity once the threat of the pandemic has abated.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2021