LONDON: The first flight carrying international Umrah pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday after restrictions to curb COVID-19 were lifted.
The flight carrying Pakistani pilgrims arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and they were greeted by Hajj and Umrah Minister Mohammed Saleh Benten.
A Pakistani traveller arrives in Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage and is welcomed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on November 1, 2020. (AFP)
Later on Sunday, a flight carrying Indonesian pilgrims arrived at the airport.
International pilgrims are being allowed to perform Umrah as part of the third stage of the Kingdom’s plan to safely resume the pilgrimage amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
During the third stage, the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah will be working at 100 percent operation.
Strict preventative measures are being taken to ensure the safety of all pilgrims.
