Ministry of Islamic Affairs has revealed the licenses of companies authorised to organise Umrah pilgrimages have been extended by one year.
The Islamic ministry stated authorised companies were initially given a two-year license but were unable to schedule and organise Umrah pilgrimages in 2020 and this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry stated it has extended the licenses of 37 Umrah pilgrimage companies by one year in order to give them the opportunity to organise trips for Maldivians.
On August 10, the Government of Saudi Arabia opened to travel to the country for Umrah pilgrimage. The Saudi government stated it will allow pilgrims from all but nine countries to directly travel to the country for Umrah pilgrimage. Pilgrims are required to make reservations to enter the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina. The Saudi government will allow a maximum of 20,000 people to pray inside Masjid al-Haram and will allow a maximum of 60,000 people to enter the mosque each day.
Furthermore, the Saudi government will only allow a group of 50 pilgrims from each authorised country to travel to Saudi Arabia, and will not allow access to pilgrims travelling alone. The Saudi government has reserved rooms in 1,800 three-star and five-star hotels for Umrah pilgrims, which can accommodate around 200,000 people.
The pilgrims are also required to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines when staying at the hotels.