Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia welcomes pilgrims for Haj

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year's event is limited to about 1,000 pilgrims.

Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday the arrival of pilgrims to the new King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah from the country's five cities for the annual Haj season.
According to the Haj and Umrah Ministry, the pilgrims arrived on Saturday from holy city of Madinah, Riyadh, Abha, Tabuk and Jazan with tight health procedures, the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.
A special lane was allocated for the pilgrims to facilitate their entry procedures and expedite transfer to their residence in the holy city of Makkah. The pilgrims will undergo institutional isolation before heading to Mina, where they will spend the day of Tarwiyah.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year's event is limited to about 1,000 pilgrims, all from inside Saudi Arabia, about 700 of whom are expatriates.
Throughout the Haj season, there would be comprehensive coordination between concerned organizations for the safety of pilgrims, the Ministry's undersecretary for Haj Affairs Hussain Al Shareef said.

• Saudi Arabia