Grand Mosque opens at full capacity as Saudi Arabia relaxes Covid-19 measures

Kingdom removes requirement to wear masks in open spaces while observing social distancing rules

Saudi Arabia's Grand Mosque in Makkah has started receiving pilgrims at full capacity on Sunday, with workers removing social distancing stickers around the mosque.

The kingdom removed the requirement to wears masks and observe social distancing in open spaces, after a decline in the number of coronavirus infections, the official Saudi press agency (SPA) reported.

Physical distancing stickers are removed from the Grand Mosque after Saudi Arabia lifted the requirement to wear masks and observe social distancing in open spaces. All photos: SPA

The move came after the number of Covid-19 cases in the kingdom continued to decrease, Saudi Arabia’s official press agency (SPA) said.

Pilgrims are warned they must still wear masks and use the Tawakkalna mobile app to confirm their immunity status when entering the kingdom’s two Holy Mosques.

The lifting of restrictions is the latest in a series of moves by Saudi Arabia after it reopened its borders to travellers in May.

There is now widespread hope that primary schoolchildren will soon be allowed to attend classrooms across the country.

Dawn prayer at the Grand Mosque after the cancelling of physical distance.

More than 20.6 million of the country's 34.8 million population have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Saudi Arabia recorded two deaths and 45 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday.

There was positive reaction to the latest lifting of restrictions. ‘This is great news,’ said Naushad Mohammed, a British citizen who lives in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Mohammed praised the kingdom’s response to the virus. ‘Saudi Arabia has done an impressive and tremendous job in taking care of its people, be it residents or citizens during the pandemic. We were all given free medical care and vaccines and are really lucky to have been here during the pandemic.’

'I am glad we are turning a new chapter and hope the world can go back to normal," Mr Mohammed said.

The Under-Secretary-General for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque, Dr Saad bin Mohammed Al Muhaimid, said that a plan has been implemented for the mosque to operate at full capacity whilst ensuring the safety of all.

Pilgrims will still be required to wear face masks and make reservations to perform Umrah and prayers through the Tawakkalna and Eatmarna applications, to verify their immunity status at the entrances of the two holy mosques.

So far, more than 20.6 million of the country's 34.8 million population have been vaccinated.

"This is great news," said Naushad Mohammed, a British citizen living in the kingdom.

"Saudi Arabia has done an impressive and tremendous job in taking care of its people, be it residents or citizens during the pandemic. We were all given free medical care and vaccines and are really lucky to have been here during the pandemic. I am glad we are turning a new chapter and hope the world can go back to normal."

"Starting today, the Ministry of Sports facilities will receive sports fans at their full capacity," state media reported. Cafes, malls, wedding halls, cinemas, and restaurants will also host guests at full capacity without social distancing.

Arwa Bashaen, a Saudi citizen, said: "Honestly I am so relieved to hear that we can finally resume our daily lives without the use of masks and social distancing. We haven't been able to host a wedding in the family because we wanted all our loved ones to be there. This has just made our family so happy."

Parents are hoping schools in the kingdom will allow primary school pupils to join classes starting next week.

"Since everything is open, I hope the same applies to schools too," said Ayesha Abdullah, a Saudi citizen living in Jeddah.

"So far, only high schools are taking children back. I hope my children, aged 4 and 6 can resume classes in school starting next week as per what we were told."

Pupils returned to classes in August amid precautionary measures.

Vaccine rules

Only pupils with both doses of a vaccine were allowed to go back to classrooms in August, after schools shut down last year because of the pandemic.

Saudi Arabia reopened its borders to travellers in May this year. Only adults who have received both doses of a vaccine, or one dose 14 days before the date of departure, are allowed to travel outside the country. In August, authorities allowed vaccinated tourists into the country without the need for quarantine.

Travellers must have had two doses of vaccines approved by the kingdom, which include those produced by Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca and Moderna.

Those inoculated with Sinopharm or Sinovac shots, which are also approved, can enter Saudi Arabia if they have also had a booster dose of another approved vaccine.

So far, 44.4 million doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered in the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia recorded three deaths and 45 new cases of coronavirus, Spa reported on Saturday. The total number of recoveries in the Kingdom has increased to 536,900.

Over 44.4 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine have been administered in the Kingdom to date. The kingdom has approved Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines for use.

Saudi Arabia's Health Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah receives the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine. AFP

A Saudi woman gestures after she received the first dose of a coronavirus disease vaccine, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

The first Saudi citizen to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine speaks to reporters after its administration at a vaccination centre supervised by the health ministry in the capital Riyadh. AFP

Boxes containing the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are unloaded at a vaccination centre in the Saudi capital Riyadh. AFP

Nursing staff wait at the location where the vaccine is being administered as part of a vaccination campaign by the Saudi health ministry in the capital Riyadh. AFP

Nursing staff wait at the location where the vaccine is being administered as part of a vaccination campaign by the Saudi health ministry in the capital Riyadh. AFP

The first Saudi citizen prepares to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (Tozinameran) in the capital Riyadh. AFP

The first Saudi citizen prepares to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (Tozinameran) in the capital Riyadh. AFP

A view of the vaccine room where the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine (Tozinameran) is being administered. AFP

Saudi Arabia's Health Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah speaks to reporters after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine. AFP

A woman celebrates becoming the first female Saudi citizen receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine. AFP

A nurse speaks to a man before administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine. AFP