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Hajj, Umrah Ministry Exempts Immunized with Approved Vaccines from Quarantine

Exclusion of those who are immune from quarantine (SPA)
Exclusion of those who are immune from quarantine (SPA)
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Hajj, Umrah Ministry Exempts Immunized with Approved Vaccines from Quarantine

Exclusion of those who are immune from quarantine (SPA)
Exclusion of those who are immune from quarantine (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has decided that travelers inbound to the Kingdom who have received a full dose of one of the approved vaccines, including Oxford-AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, are exempt from the need to quarantine.

In a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Ministry revealed that “adherence to approved doses is sufficient.”

Nevertheless, people vaccinated with the Chinese-made vaccines Sinopharm and Sinovac have to spend three days in institutional quarantine and present a negative PCR certificate 48 hours after isolation.

As for whether new restrictions would be put in place to face the Omicron variant, the Ministry affirmed that measures for incoming pilgrims and visitors from both inside Saudi Arabia and abroad ensure that everyone is fully immunized with one of the approved vaccines in the Kingdom.

Moreover, pilgrims are required to register with the Eatmarna app. Travelers coming from abroad would be required to first register with one of the Qodum or Muqeem platforms.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said on Twitter that inoculation registration via the Qodum platform is a must for overseas pilgrims 72 hours before arrival to check if it is compliant with the vaccines recognized in Saudi Arabia.

As for limiting or expanding the number of pilgrims allowed, the Ministry confirmed that such a figure is decided by several relevant authorities that closely monitor coronavirus pandemic developments.

Regarding its strategy for the advent of Islam’s holy month of fasting, Ramadan, the Ministry assured that its plan would depend on intensifying efforts and special programs.

This comes as part of the Ministry’s work to provide the best services for visitors and pilgrims and ensure a healthy and organized atmosphere and the implementation of the highest standards of preventive measures.

Moreover, the Ministry reaffirmed that as soon as the Kingdom approved the list of vaccines, it had rushed to fully immunize all its workers.

In October 2020, Saudi Arabia resumed Umrah after about seven months of suspension due to the global pandemic.

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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.