Saudi says covid vaccine needed for Hajj pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has announced that Muslims wanting to visit Makkah for the annual Hajj pilgrimage will need to provide proof that they’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, Saudi Okaz newspaper reports.

“Vaccination would be the main condition for participation,” Health Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah is reported to have said.

His ministry did not specify whether this year’s Hajj season, which is due to begin on 17 July, will be affected by the new regulation.