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Although social distancing measures have been cancelled, the authorities say tourists must be fully vaccinated against coronavirus
The Great Mosque in the holy Muslim city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia Full load operation on Sunday, For the first time since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, believers prayed side by side.
Workers removed floor markings that instructed people to maintain social distancing inside and outside the Grand Mosque, which was built around the Kaaba, which is a black cube structure where Muslims around the world pray.
The official Saudi news agency reported: “This is in line with the decision to relax preventive measures and allow pilgrims and tourists to go to the Grand Mosque at full capacity.”
Pictures and videos on Sunday morning showed people praying side by side, and rows of worshippers were respected during Muslim prayers. This was the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic last year.
Although social distancing measures have been cancelled, the authorities have stated that tourists must Fully vaccinated against coronavirus And must continue to wear masks in the mosque.
In addition, the Kaaba is still blocked and out of reach.
Saudi Arabia announced in August that it will start accepting foreigners who wish to be vaccinated Umrah pilgrimage.
Hajj can be carried out at any time and usually attracts millions of people from all over the world. The same is true for the annual hajj. A capable and healthy Muslim must make at least one hajj in his lifetime.
In July, only about 60,000 vaccinated residents were allowed to participate in the reduced annual Hajj.
The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly disrupted the Muslim pilgrimage, which is usually the kingdom’s main source of income, with a total annual income of US$12 billion.
The holding of pilgrimages is a matter of prestige for Saudi rulers. For them, the guardianship of the holiest place in Islam is the most powerful source of their political legitimacy.
The once-isolated kingdom began issuing tourist visas for the first time in 2019, allowing foreign tourists to undertake more pilgrimages, as part of an ambitious effort to reshape its global image and achieve income diversification.
Between September 2019 and March 2020, it issued 400,000 units-only because the pandemic destroyed that momentum as the borders closed.
But the kingdom is slowly opening up, and it has already begun Welcome foreign tourists who have been vaccinated from August 1.
According to the SPA report, Saudi Arabia also announced that starting from Sunday, fully vaccinated sports fans will be allowed to participate in activities in all stadiums and other sports facilities.
It also stated that most open spaces are no longer mandatory to wear masks.
Saudi Arabia has registered more than 547,000 coronavirus cases and 8,760 deaths.
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