“Hajj permits would facilitate getting an appointment for the second dose within 48 hours of issuing the permit,” the Ministry said in a statement.

“The vaccination is one of the primary conditions for registration, and the second dose is an essential requirement to enable the pilgrims of Hajj,” the Ministry underlined.

Ministry of Hajj and Umrah: Accepted Hajj applicants must receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Applicants can visit the nearest vaccination center without an appointment but within 48 hours of receiving the #Hajj2021 permit. pic.twitter.com/Id2ZWGGoNA

— Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) June 27, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the 2020 Hajj (pilgrimage), which is the fifth pillar of the Five Pillars of Islam, where millions of Muslims from around the world visit Mecca and Medina every year during Hajj season for a week.

Over 2,400,000 pilgrims attended Hajj in 2019. Due to the highly contagious nature of COVID-19 in crowded places, various international travel restrictions, and social distancing recommendations, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah advised Muslims to postpone their pilgrimage until the pandemic was mitigated.

However, in June 2020, the Ministry opened up Hajj to people of all nationalities residing in Saudi Arabia, with foreigners still banned from attending to ensure pilgrims' safety and prevent the transmission of COVID-19. (ILKHA)