Worshippers offer socially distanced prayers at the Grand Mosque.

Gulf Today Report

An official source in the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque stated that it was decided to restore the social distancing procedures in the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, starting from seven in the morning on Thursday (12/30/2021).

In October, Saudi authorities scrapped the social distancing measures and allowed full capacity atendance at the country’s two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah for those who have taken the full dose of vaccines.

However, with the spike in COVID-19 infections, the authorities have decided to reintroduce the measures for the safety of pilgrims.  

The source explained that physical distancing will be applied between worshipers, reorganizing the place of worship, and distribution of pilgrims on virtual circumambulation paths, in order to achieve the application of precautionary measures to curb spread of COVID-19 mutants and preserve the health and safety of the pilgrims.

The source stressed the need for all visitors to the Two Holy Mosques and their workers to adhere to the precautionary measures, to wear face masks, adhere to the entry dates according to the permits issued by the approved applications, maintain physical distance, and adhere to the instructions of the authorities operating in the Two Holy Mosques.