Coronavirus: Foreign umrah pilgrims return to Prophet’s Mosque eight months later
Foreign umrah pilgrims returned to the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina eight months after their entry was prohibited as a precaution against the coronavirus, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque in Saudi Arabia said on Monday.
For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.
Under the third phase of gradual resumption of Umrah, 160 to 170 Muslims are allowed to visit the Prophet’s Mosque and the Rawdah – the chambers where Prophet Mohammed was buried – at a time, the Deputy President of the Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque Mohammed al-Khodari told al-Ekhbariya TV.
Approximately, 4,000 to 5,000 Muslims visited the mosque and the Rawdah by the end of the day, al-Khodari said.

Before November 1, only pilgrims within Saudi Arabia were permitted to perform Umrah and visit the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina.
Muslims must follow precautionary measures throughout their visit, which includes wearing a face mask and maintaining at least a two-meter distance from others.

Eatmarna app
To be allowed into the mosque’s quarters, all visitors must first register through the Eatmarna application to obtain a permit.
The visitor can request permission and choose a specific time they wish to perform a prayer at the Prophet’s Mosque on the app.
The app is meant to prevent crowding and long waiting lines for those who wish to enter the mosque.
Read more:
Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah airport prepares to welcome foreign Umrah pilgrims
Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia welcomes foreign Umrah pilgrims for first time in months
Regular disinfection campaigns
The floors, hallways, and doors of the Prophet’s Mosque and its quarters are regularly disinfected using the most modern sterilizing equipment, the general presidency said.
The carpets in the mosque are also vacuumed and sterilized throughout the day, according to the general presidency.
Instead of placing their shoes in the usual designated area, special bags are handed out to Muslims to store their shoes before they enter the mosque to prevent crowding and infection.
-
Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia welcomes foreign Umrah pilgrims for first time in months
Saudi Arabia on Sunday welcomed the first batch of foreign Umrah pilgrims after entry was suspended to everyone outside the Kingdom for months as part ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: 5 questions answered if you are planning to travel to Mecca for Umrah
Saudi Arabia is set to welcome foreign nationals outside the Kingdom to perform Umrah in Mecca and Medina starting on Sunday as part of the third ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah airport prepares to welcome foreign Umrah pilgrims
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is preparing its Hajj and Umrah Terminal for foreign Umrah pilgrims after entry was ... Coronavirus