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According to an announcement from Saudi Arabia's National Center for Disease Control, pilgrims this year will be prohibited from touching the Kaaba (the central stone of the Masjid al-Haram mosque) and must maintain a minimum physical distance of 1.5 meters throughout religious rituals such as communal prayer or walking around the Kaaba.
The Kaaba, usually crowded with worshippers, has become deserted during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last month, Saudi Arabia announced a limit on the number of local pilgrims to around 1,000, while Muslims from outside the country will not be granted pilgrimage visas this year. Pilgrimage slots are also largely prioritized for foreigners living and working in Saudi Arabia (70%), with the remainder reserved for Saudi citizens. All pilgrim permits must meet strict criteria, including being between 20 and 50 years old, never having undertaken a pilgrimage before, possessing a certificate proving they are free of Covid-19, and not suffering from any chronic diseases.
As of July 7th, Saudi Arabia had recorded 217,108 cases of Covid-19, including 2,017 deaths.
