Saudi Arabia Approves Haj Security Plan

The plan of public security authorities' tasks and responsibilities was approved by the Interior Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Haj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, one day after the approval of the emergency plan. A general grant for Haj will be made, Xinhua News Agency quoted local media sources as reporting.

The plan includes civil defense measures to address potential risks in Mecca, Medina, and other ceremonial areas. Public Safety Director Mohammed Abdullah Al-Basami said the plan took into account all security, organizational, transportation, and humanitarian issues.

This will be the first time that foreign pilgrims will be allowed to make the annual pilgrimage after the previous two seasons, which were reserved for domestic pilgrims, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Under the new rules, pilgrims must be under 65 years of age, have completed basic doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and submit a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours of departure.