5m perform rituals at Grand Mosque since resumption

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has received 5 million Umrah pilgrims and worshippers since the resumption of the rituals, said Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mohammed Saleh Benten.
 He said that no cases of COVID-19 infections were reported among pilgrims and worshippers.
 The statement came during a meeting with Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal in Jeddah on Wednesday.  
 Saudi Arabia suspended Umrah in March and significantly downsized the Hajj pilgrimage in July by only allowing about 1,000 pilgrims, all in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Kingdom is getting back on track after earlier lockdowns while adhering to strict health protocols.
On Sept. 22, the Kingdom announced a gradual resumption of Umrah pilgrimage in four phases.
Tourist offices abroad are following their contracts with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah so that pilgrims can come to perform Umrah rituals.
In the first phase, which lasted for 14 days, 84,000 pilgrims were received — 6,000 people per day. A total of 210,000 pilgrims performed Umrah rituals during the second phase.
The third phase, which started on Nov. 1, permitted pilgrims from abroad to perform the ritual alongside residents of the Kingdom.