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Saudi Arabia is considering making vaccinations mandatory for all pilgrims undertaking Hajj later this year, Arabic daily Okaz quoted the kingdom’s health minister as saying on Tuesday.
In an internal memo seen by Okaz, Tawfiq Al Rabiah said vaccination would be required for all taking part and directed staff to form a coronavirus vaccination committee for pilgrims before the Hajj season in July.
Authorities must “secure the manpower required to operate the health facilities in Makkah, Madinah and entry points for pilgrims”, he reportedly said.
Pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic in July 2020. AFP
Saudi Arabia is considering making vaccinations mandatory for all pilgrims undertaking Hajj later this year, Arabic daily Okaz quoted the kingdom’s health minister as saying on Tuesday.
In an internal memo seen by Okaz, Tawfiq Al Rabiah said vaccination would be required for all taking part and directed staff to form a coronavirus vaccination committee for pilgrims before the Hajj season in July.
Authorities must “secure the manpower required to operate the health facilities in Makkah, Madinah and entry points for pilgrims”, he reportedly said.
A health ministry spokesman in Makkah told The National that an internal memo from the Health Ministry said that all medical personnel and volunteers who want to work during Hajj this year must also be vaccinated.
Saudi Arabia plans to vaccinate 70 per cent of its population by the end of 2021.
Tens of thousands of staff and volunteers work for weeks to enable the gathering of well over 2 million people for Hajj in a normal, non-pandemic, year.
In an internal memo seen by Okaz, Tawfiq Al Rabiah said vaccination would be required for all taking part and directed staff to form a coronavirus vaccination committee for pilgrims before the Hajj season in July.
Authorities must “secure the manpower required to operate the health facilities in Makkah, Madinah and entry points for pilgrims”, he reportedly said.
Pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic in July 2020. AFP
Saudi Arabia is considering making vaccinations mandatory for all pilgrims undertaking Hajj later this year, Arabic daily Okaz quoted the kingdom’s health minister as saying on Tuesday.
In an internal memo seen by Okaz, Tawfiq Al Rabiah said vaccination would be required for all taking part and directed staff to form a coronavirus vaccination committee for pilgrims before the Hajj season in July.
Authorities must “secure the manpower required to operate the health facilities in Makkah, Madinah and entry points for pilgrims”, he reportedly said.
A health ministry spokesman in Makkah told The National that an internal memo from the Health Ministry said that all medical personnel and volunteers who want to work during Hajj this year must also be vaccinated.
Saudi Arabia plans to vaccinate 70 per cent of its population by the end of 2021.
Tens of thousands of staff and volunteers work for weeks to enable the gathering of well over 2 million people for Hajj in a normal, non-pandemic, year.
