Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, KSA Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Hajj Higher Committee, has approved the general security plan related to Hajj 2021, which integrates pandemic procedures, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has reported.
The plan is in line with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and HRH Crown Prince, for whom Hajj rituals should be performed in a way that maintains pilgrim security and safety.
In a separate update, SPA reported that unauthorised access to the Grand Mosque, central area surrounding it and the Holy Sites (Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat) from 25/11/1442H to 13/12/1442H will be fined SAR10,000 with the fine doubled for repeated violations. The provisions and fines related to violators of preventive measures and protocols during the pandemic are aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19 during this year’s Hajj.
Hajj will be held from 8 to 13 Dhulhijjah (the 12th Islamic month), roughly corresponding to 17-22 July. The start of Dhulhijjah is contingent on the sighting of the new moon at the end of the preceding month of Dhulqa'adah (the 11th Islamic month).