Saudi Arabia will re-allow performance of Umrah in stages beginning from October 4 after seven months of closure due to the coronavirus Covid-19 concerns, state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

It will now allow 6,000 citizens and expatriates in the Kingdom to perform Umrah daily, representing 30% of the capacity taking into account the health precautionary measures of the Grand Mosque, the report said.

This will increase to 75% of the capacity representing 15,000 pilgrims from October 18,it added.

From November 1, the kingdom will allow 20,000 pilgrims per day at 100% of the capacity from countries that are free from health risks related to the Corona pandemic to perform Umrah until authorities decide that the risk of the pandemic is disappeared, the SPA report said.

The entry of pilgrims, worshipers and visitors shall be regulated through the application (Etamarna), which will be launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, implementing health standards and controls approved by the Ministry of Health, the report said.