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Although the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relaxed travel restrictions on September 8, airlines have not yet formulated standard operating procedures for Umrah travel
Since Saudi Arabia lifted its travel ban on the UAE, travel agencies in Dubai and other emirates have stated that they have received a large number of inquiries about pilgrimages.
The travel agency said that for more than a year, UAE residents have been waiting for a pilgrimage to the Holy Mosque in Saudi Arabia. But shortly after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia closed its border for nearly 18 months, making the journey impossible.
Syed Mudassir, Sales Manager of Al Bloushi Travel, said: “As news of the resumption of the trip broke out, we received a lot of calls about Umrah pilgrimage.”
“Demand is increasing. In the next few days, we may see a large number of people flying to Saudi Arabia to participate in the Umrah.”
Mudassir added that road travel in the kingdom has not yet resumed, which means that passengers can only enter the country by air.
Although Saudi Arabia eased travel restrictions on September 8, some travel agencies emphasized that airlines have not yet established any standard operating procedures for Umrah travel.
“We are still confused because there is no airline that clearly states Umrah travel. There are currently no Umrah visas issued,” said Faisal Awan, CEO of Al Ghazi Travel and Tourism.
Some residents even require agents to issue business visas so that they can go to the Umrah.
Syed Fasil, sales manager of Al Ghaith Al Moosa Travel Agency, said: “Residents who wish to complete official duties and carry out Umrah on the same visa contacted us.”
International tourists who wish to travel to Saudi Arabia to participate in the Umrah must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Saudi Arabia recognizes the following vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna.
Passengers take two doses Sinopharm or Kexing Vaccine Only after receiving a booster dose of one of the four approved vaccines can they enter the kingdom.
ayaz@khaleejtimes.com
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