Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Saturday the limited number of pilgrims this year to 60,000 people, consisting of Saudi citizens and expatriates living in the kingdom.

The decision was taken by taking into account the ongoing developments of the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of new variants, according to a statement from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia received here on Saturday.

The statement mentioned that the hajj registration should be carried out through an electronic link that will be launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah with the requirements as follows.

The total number of pilgrims in hajj 1442 hijri is limited to 60,000 people, for Saudi people and residents of all nationalities living in the kingdom.

The pilgrims must be free from chronic diseases.

Performing the hajj rituals will be limited to age groups between 18 and 65 years old, and have been vaccinated, in accordance with the instructions and procedures set by the kingdom for immunization categories, namely, those who have been completely vaccinated, or vaccinated with one dose and have spent 14 days, or vaccinated as they have recovered from infections.

The Saudi Arabian government stressed that the requirements for this year's hajj pilgrimage are the concerns for the health, safety and security of the pilgrims.

Earlier, the hajj 1441 hijri/2020 was only allowed to 1,000 residents of the Saudi Arabia, including foreigners living in the kingdom, with the implementation of very strict health protocols.

Reporting by Indonesia Window