This year's exceptional Hajj season, the second of its kind since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, will see 60,000 pilgrims from 120 different nationalities perform rituals under a host of health preventive measures.
On Monday, the Central Hajj Committee announced that facilities, receptions, transport stations, and service centers present in Makkah are now ready to receive and serve the 60,000 pilgrims selected from a set of 558,000 applicants that filed to take part in Hajj 2021.
Only Saudi Arabia's citizens and residents will be undertaking Hajj this season.
Headed by Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, the Committee also launched the "Shaaer Card" (rites card) to be used by both Hajj pilgrims and workers on holy sites.
The pass is linked to all offered services such as camp gates, hotels, and transportation services. It will also help guide pilgrims who get lost and aid authorities in organizing crowds of pilgrims more accurately.
Concerning transportation services, 3,000 buses will be available to pilgrims. Each bus will move around 20 pilgrims, accompanied by a group leader and a designated guide.
Each group will be briefed on applied preventive health measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
As for accommodation and catering, the utmost safety and security measures will be observed to ensure the health and protection of pilgrims.
Premium pre-prepared meals, guaranteeing the highest food security standards, will be offered to pilgrims during this year's Hajj.
Health authorities have also set up medical facilities to provide necessary health care to pilgrims. Medics will assist and treat pilgrims at the Arafat and the Mina Al-Wadi hospitals and through a mobile infirmary.
Several health centers will also be available to pilgrims.
Field preventive medical teams will implement a comprehensive health plan that includes check-ups and residence visits. This will help complete vital preventive measures in the event of any infectious disease being detected.
Promoting health awareness, education and supervisory campaigns will focus on pilgrims implementing the required preventive measures whether at their accommodations or while traveling.
