Saudi Arabia has restricted the annual Haj pilgrimage to its own citizens and residents for the second year running in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the state Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
This year’s Haj pilgrimage will be limited to no more than 60,000 vaccinated residents of the kingdom. Only people aged between 18 and 65 who have been vaccinated and are free of chronic diseases will be able to take part, the ministry that manages the pilgrimage to Mecca said in a statement.
Last year, Saudi Arabia ran an incredibly pared-down pilgrimage last year over the virus.