Tuesday, 7 July 2020

KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah details how Hajj 2020 pilgrims will be chosen

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has reported that on the health criteria chosen by the KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for Hajj 2020 pilgrims.

The 2020 pilgrim ratio will comprise 70% non-Saudi residents, with Saudis making up the remaining 30%. Saudi pilgrims will be chosen among Saudi healthcare workers and security personnel who have fully recovered from COVID-19. These pilgrims will be selected from the COVID-19 recovery database. According to the SPA report, this choice is in appreciation of these individuals' roles in fighting the pandemic.

The Ministry stated that the priority will be medically-fit non-Saudi residents who have undergone a negative PCR test; are first-time pilgrims; and whose ages are from 20 to 50. Those selected will be asked to abide by a quarantine period decided by the Ministry of Health before and after performing Hajj. PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction, one of the methods by which swabs from a person can be determined to be positive or negative for COVID-19.

The Ministry also explained that the selection of non-Saudi pilgrims would be carried out electronically and would cover medically-fit registrants. Those selected will be required to submit all necessary documents within a predetermined period. Eligible non-Saudi residents can register through the Ministry’s website by July 10, 2020.