10,000 people to participate in scaled-down Haj from today
Saudi Arabia takes all measures to prevent virus outbreak during Haj
Pilgrims were quarantined yesterday in Makkah ahead of the downsized Haj as Saudi authorities strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak during the five-day pilgrimage.
Up to 10,000 people already residing in the kingdom will participate in the annual rituals starting today, according to Haj officials, a tiny fraction of the 2.5 million international pilgrims that attended last year.
Those selected to take part in this year’s Haj were subject to temperature checks and placed in quarantine as they began trickling into Makkah at last weekend.
No touching of Kaaba
Haj authorities have cordoned the Kaaba this year, saying pilgrims will not be allowed to touch it, to limit the chances of infection.
They also reported setting up multiple health facilities, mobile clinics and ambulances to cater to the pilgrims, who will be required to wear masks and observe social distancing.
“There are no security-related concerns in this pilgrimage, but it is to protect pilgrims from the danger of the pandemic,” Khalid Bin Qarar Al Harbi, Saudi Arabia’s director of public security, told reporters yesterday.
Some 70 per cent of the pilgrims are foreigners residing in the kingdom, while the rest will be Saudi citizens.
Pilgrims to be quarantined after the Haj
All worshippers were required to be tested for coronavirus before arriving in Makkah and will also have to quarantine after the pilgrimage. They were given elaborate amenity kits that include sterilised pebbles for a stoning ritual, disinfectants, masks, a prayer rug and the ihram, a seamless white garment worn by pilgrims. The foreign press are barred from this year’s Haj, usually a huge global media event, as the government tightens access to Makkah.