Saudi Arabia Require COVID1-19 Vaccine For Hajj Pilgrims In 2021

JAKARTA - The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health has decided that only pilgrims who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to take part in this year's hajj, as reported by the newspaper Okaz.

"The mandatory COVID-19 vaccine for those who wish to undertake the pilgrimage will also be the main requirement (for pocketing an entry permit)", the report said, citing a circular signed by the health minister as reported by Antara, Wednesday, March 3.

In 2020, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia cut the number of worshipers to around 1,000 to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, after banning worshipers from abroad for the first time in modern times.

Hajj is once-in-a-lifetime worship for those who can afford it. And this is the main source of revenue for the Saudi Arabian government.

The millions of worshipers from all over the world who come to Saudi Arabia are likely to catch the virus. In the past, the congregation returned to their respective homeland with respiratory and other ailments.