Hajj authorities issue 52 fines for rule breaches before pilgrimage starts

People were caught trying to circumvent regulations in place to prevent Covid-19 outbreaks

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  Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat, south-east of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage in July last year.

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  Muslims pray on Mount Arafat while on the Hajj pilgrimage during the Covid-19 pandemic last year.

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  Muslim pilgrims pray at the Namira Mosque on Arafat Day last year, the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage.

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  Arrivals for last year's Hajj pilgrimage travel to Makkah from Jeddah. Last year's Hajj was scaled back considerably to include just 1,000 Muslim pilgrims as Saudi Arabia battled a coronavirus surge.

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  A traveller walking with his luggage as part of the first group of arrivals for last year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

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  Muslim pilgrims attend prayers at Namira Mosque on Arafat Day last year, the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah.

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  Muslim pilgrims attend prayers at Namira Mosque on Arafat Day last year, the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

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  Workers at the Grand Mosque complex in Makkah work around the Kaaba before last year's Hajj pilgrimage.

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  Pilgrims in the Grand Mosque complex in Makkah pictured around the Kaaba during last year's Hajj.

Security officers on Thursday fined 52 people 10,000 Saudi riyals ($2,666) each for breaching Hajj regulations that ban entry to the Grand Mosque and pilgrimage sites without a valid permit.

The Hajj Security Forces Command spokesman, Brigadier General Sami Al Shuwairekh, said they were caught violating Hajj instructions.

Millions usually take part in the pilgrimage, but this year just 60,000 pilgrims who are already in the kingdom are being allowed to participate, in an effort to ensure social distancing and prevent Covid-19 infections. Only those who applied and were granted a permit can visit the Grand Mosque or the holy sites for Hajj this year. It is expected to begin on July 18.

The Saudi Interior Ministry said on Sunday that the fine will be doubled if the offence is repeated.

People have attempted to sneak into the Grand Mosque ahead of Hajj to get around the permit system and the costs of taking part in the pilgrimage.

To ensure safety, cleaners will sterilise the floors and yards of the Grand Mosque 10 times a day.

The Ministry held a training course with Saudi Red Crescent Authority, titled "First Aid and Emergency Medical Cases in Hajj’ for all Hajj and Umrah ministry employees

All arrangements are being made to combat the coronavirus, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said.

Pilgrims are organised into groups and will not be allowed to board buses to the Grand Mosque without the team leader.

Pick up and drop off points have been allocated for pilgrims who will be travelling between the holy sites for Hajj rites while the faithful will still camp and stay at approved locations.

The ministry will allocate a specific schedule for each camp for the ritual stoning, one of the undertakings of the pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister approved the general emergency plan for this year’s Hajj earlier this week. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs is launching a set of awareness programs and has approved the plan for this year's Hajj.

Ministry of Hajj and Umrah authorities review preparations at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah ahead of Hajj season.

Workshops have been taking place to ensure pilgrims' safety for Hajj season. There have been training courses with Saudi Red Crescent to ensure all Hajj and Umrah ministry employees are equipped to work on delivering a successful Hajj season.

On Wednesday, Hajj and Umrah authorities reviewed executive plans to receive pilgrims from within the kingdom at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah.