Saudi Arabia forms committee to plan on resuming Umrah visits: report

Saudi Arabia formed a new committee, comprising four government entities, to map out a plan on resuming Umrah visits, Al Watan newspaper reported, citing unnamed sources.

These entities are Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ministry of Health, The General Presidency of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, and Saudi Public Security.

The committee has submitted various recommendations to the competent authorities.

These recommendations include initially opening Umrah visits for residents, followed by foreigners in limited numbers and at fixed time. The committee also recommended launching a platform or an application through which pilgrims can submit requests for a Umrah visit.

Pilgrims should also obtain a medical report indicating that they free of COVID-19.

The Saudi government temporarily halted issuing Umrah visas in late February this year and suspended Umrah visits for nationals and citizens in March over coronavirus fears, Argaam reported.

Recently an official source at the Ministry of Interior said that a plan will be announced to gradually begin Umrah visits, based on circumstances related to the developments during the pandemic period.