Saudi Arabia will resume on Sunday the second phase of Umrah pilgrimage as part of the gradual return to performing the ritual, some seven months after it was suspended due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque is expected to receive 220,000 to perform rituals and 560,000 worshippers.
The 14-day second phase will allow citizens and residents in the Kingdom to perform Umrah in the Grand Mosque at a 75 percent capacity (15,000 pilgrims per day, 40,000 worshippers per day) amid strict social distancing measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
The Kingdom has allowed citizens and residents to start performing Umrah as of Oct.4 at 30 percent capacity, or 6,000 pilgrims a day. It will open for Muslims from abroad starting Nov. 1.
The General Presidency urged all worshipers and pilgrims to adhere to the specified times according to the issued permits, as well as the precautionary measures, stressing wearing face masks and sanitizing hands regularly.
The Health Ministry announced on Friday 433 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, raising the infection tally to 341,495 cases, including 8,556 active cases undergoing treatment 835 of which are critical cases.
Meanwhile, 468 individuals who had previously tested positive for the virus have recovered, raising the total recoveries to 327,795.
The ministry explained that 43 percent of the cases are females and 57 percent are males, and children account for 10 percent, adults 86 percent and the elderly four percent.
It also reported 17 new deaths, raising the death toll to 5,144.
The United Arab Emirates recorded 1,412 new cases in the past 24-hours, rasing the infection tally to 112, 849 cases.
According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), the infected individuals are from various nationalities, adding that they are in a stable condition and are receiving the necessary care.
MoHAP also announced three new deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 455.
It also announced conducting 116,470 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment.
Kuwait on Friday reported 729 new COVID-19 cases and six more deaths, raising the tally of infections to 114,744 and the death toll to 690 in the country, the Health Ministry said in a statement.
Currently, 7,559 patients are receiving treatment, including 136 in ICU, according to the statement.
The ministry also announced the recovery of 649 more patients, raising the total recoveries in the country to 106,495.
Bahrain’s Health Ministry announced on Friday daily confirmed coronavirus cases rose by 333 and deaths increased by two to 290.
Some 452 new recoveries were also reported for a total of 73,013, as compared to 3,651 currently active cases, according to a ministry statement.
Qatar’s Health Ministry announced 189 new COVID-19 cases, with no new deaths.
According to its statement, 204 cases have recovered, raising the recoveries to 123,006.
