The ministry will gradually increase the capacity to reach 2 million pilgrims per month, which includes pilgrims from inside and outside the country.

Pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom have to present an authorized COVID-19 vaccination certificate from the official authorities in the pilgrim's country.

The certificate must be attached within the request to perform the rituals, with the condition that the vaccines are approved in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the General President of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais, called on all agencies in the presidency to make more efforts and raise the degree of readiness to expand the scope of measures that are in line with the measures imposed by the competent authorities regarding the pandemic and ways to prevent it and prevent its spread.

In an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Saudi Arabia announced a temporary suspension of entry for Muslims wanting to perform the Umrah pilgrimage in the Great Mosque of Mecca or to visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on 27 February 2020.

On 5 March, further precautionary measures were taken regarding the safety of the Islamic holy sites, including temporary daily closure of the Great Mosque for sterilization purposes.

On 19 March, Saudi Arabia suspended the holding of daily prayers and the Friday prayers in and outside the two mosques in Mecca and Medina to limit the spread of coronavirus. Similar measures were carried out across the country during the same week.

On 20 March, Saudi Arabia suspended entry and praying to the general public at the two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

On 30 May 2020, Saudi Arabia announced that mosques will start to re-open from 31 May, except for the Great Mosque of Mecca. On 19 June, the state television announced that mosques in Mecca will be allowed to reopen from 21 June “if they follow preventative health measures against COVID-19.” (ILKHA)