Saudi Arabia: Ramadan Umrah pilgrims must be Covid-19 immune

Those recently recovered from Covid-19 will be permitted on pilgrimage

A worker cleans and sterilizes the Kaaba, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, ahead of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia April 21, 2020. Reuters

Workers clean and sterilise the roof of Kaaba, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, ahead of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the Grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia April 21, 2020. Reuters

A mosque is closed in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Saudi capital Riyadh on April 13, 2020, ahead of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. AFP

Imam Mohammed, muezzin of the Jaffali mosque in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah, announces the prayer call at the mosque which is closed due to a government decree as part of efforts to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on April 28, 2020. AFP

An aerial view shows the Grand Mosque and its surrounding, deserted on the first day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, in the Saudi holy city of Mecca, on April 24, 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic crisis. AFP

A Saudi seller pours dates into a box at his shop, during the 24-hours lockdown to counter the coronavirus disease outbreak, ahead of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 20, 2020. Reuters

A worker wearing a protective face mask and gloves fries traditional Ramadan sweets following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, during the holy month of Ramadan in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 30, 2020. Reuters

Muslim worshippers perform the "Tarawih" nightly prayer during the holy month of Ramadan, while keeping their distance amid the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site, in the Saudi city of Mecca, late on May 8, 2020. AFP

A Saudi security guard stands guard as worshippers perform Isha prayer next to the Kaaba in Mecca's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site on April 27, 2020. AFP

Muslim worshippers perform the "Tarawih" nightly prayer during the holy month of Ramadan, while keeping their distance amid the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site, in the Saudi city of Mecca, late on May 8, 2020. AFP

Kitchen staff wear protective face masks and gloves, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, as they prepare Ramadan meal orders for takeaway and delivery at a restaurant in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 26, 2020. Reuters

Workers pass through a self-sterilisation gate set up at an entrance of the Kaaba and the Grand Mosque, as a preventive measure amid the the COVID-19 pandemic during the Muslim month of Ramadan in the Saudi holy city of Mecca, on May 8, 2020. AFP

Men passing through a self-sterilisation gate set up at an entrance of Kaaba and the Grand Mosque as a protective measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus during the holy fasting month of Ramadan in the Saudi holy city of Mecca, May 7, 2020. AFP

Pilgrims undertaking Umrah during Ramadan must be vaccinated against the coronavirus or otherwise immune, Saudi Arabia announced on Monday, reversing a statement that pilgrims will not need to be inoculated.

Permits to perform Umrah will be granted to applicants who can demonstrate immunity from the virus.

This includes having had two doses of vaccine, having received one dose at least 14 days prior to arrival, or having recovered from the virus, the Hajj and Umrah Ministry told the Saudi state news agency.

Scientific studies suggested that those who were infected can be protected from reinfection for a limited period of time. The strength of the immune response and the length of time that the protection lasts can vary.

Pilgrims looking to perform Umrah this year must use either the Umrah or Tawakolna mobile apps to submit their coronavirus documents.

Reservations can also be made through these apps to ensure capacity is not exceeded.

The ministry said only these two apps can be used and told pilgrims to avoid unauthorised or fake websites.

Those working in the Hajj and Umrah sectors must be vaccinated before the start of Ramadan, the ministry previously said.

Employees who are not vaccinated must provide a negative PCR test result every seven days, in line with broader rules brought in across the kingdom’s hospitality and services industries.

Authorities said they will intensify inspections during the holy month to ensure that the public is complying with social distancing measures.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia directed all mosques across the country to suspend Iftar, Suhoor and I'tikaf, in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Minister of Islamic Affairs Abdullatif Al Sheikh said that the often large gatherings to break fast during the holy month will not be taking place inside mosques this year.

The preventative and precautionary measures are being taken to prevent further outbreaks of the virus, he said.

Saudi Arabia reported 695 new Covid-19 infections on Monday, with seven deaths and 489 recoveries.