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Although social distancing measures have been cancelled, the Saudi authorities said that pilgrims must be vaccinated and wear masks.
The Great Mosque in the holy Muslim city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia has resumed full operation. For the first time since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, believers prayed side by side.
On Sunday, floor markings instructing people to maintain social distancing inside and outside the Grand Mosque were removed.
The official Saudi News Agency (SPA) reported: “This is in line with the decision to relax precautions and allow pilgrims and tourists to go to the Grand Mosque at full capacity.”
Pictures and videos on Sunday morning show people standing in a row and praying side by side. This is the first time that Muslims have been revered in prayer since the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
Although social distancing measures have been cancelled, the authorities stated that tourists must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and must continue to wear masks in mosques.
The Kaaba where Muslims pray around the world is still blocked and out of reach.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, Saudi Arabia will relax restrictions on COVID-19 from October 17th in response to a sharp drop in the number of daily infections and a substantial increase in the number of vaccinations.
Authorities have also lifted restrictions on fully vaccinated people in closed places, gatherings, transportation, restaurants and movie theaters.
It added that it is no longer mandatory to wear masks in open public places, while it is still mandatory to wear masks in closed places.
In addition, according to SPA reports, starting from Sunday, fully vaccinated sports fans will be allowed to participate in activities in all stadiums and other sports facilities.
Pilgrimage blocked
In July, only about 60,000 vaccinated citizens and residents were allowed to participate in the annual Hajj.
Hajj-held more than 10 days a year, requiring physically and financially capable Muslims to have at least once in a lifetime-usually attracts millions of pilgrims from all over the world. Umrah is a smaller pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of the year and can also bring millions of people to the country.
In August last year, Saudi Arabia announced that it would start accepting vaccinated foreigners who wish to make Umrah.
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly disrupted these two pilgrimages, which are usually the main source of income for the kingdom, with a total annual income of US$12 billion.
Saudi Arabia has reported more than 547,000 coronavirus cases and 8,760 deaths.
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