Saudi Arabia Opens Umrah For 12-18 Year Olds Who Have Received Two Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine

Illustration of the atmosphere of the Grand Mosque, Mecca during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Twitter/@Haramain Sharifain)

JAKARTA - Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed the granting of permits for Umrah for pilgrims aged 12 to 18 years, provided that they had received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Quoting Arab News Tuesday, August 10, this announcement coincides with the inauguration of the 2021 Umrah season starting today. However, this policy only applies to local congregations.

Along with this decision, more than 13,000 permits were issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia for this age group, allowing them to perform Umrah and visit the Prophet's Mosque.

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdul-Fattah bin Suleiman Mashat, said Umrah permits were issued through the Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications, with an integrated system of services and precautions, to ensure the safety and health of those wishing to perform the Umrah ritual.

The ministry is working with other authorities prior to this year's Umrah season, to establish an executive mechanism and create a safe environment for pilgrims," he explained.

On this occasion Mashat underlined the need to comply with the health procedures set by the ministry, in order to ensure the safety of the congregation and those who serve, preventing the spread of the corona virus.

"Umrah permits must be obtained through the Eatmarna and Tawakkalna applications," the deputy minister added.

As previously reported, Saudi Arabia has reopened international Umrah services starting this week, with several requirements, such as having received a complete COVID-19 vaccine, as evidenced by the inclusion of a vaccine certificate.

Regarding the COVID-19 vaccination requirements, it applies to pilgrims who have received complete doses of vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

Meanwhile, for pilgrims using the COVID-19 vaccine from China, they must get a third or booster dose of the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

And, for international pilgrims, they must be 18 years old and must meet the requirements to arrive through an Umrah agent accredited by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia. The number of congregations is also limited, a maximum of two million pilgrims per month.