Saudi Officials Eye Resuming Umrah
Saudi officials suspended all entry for Umrah at the end of February as part of measures introduced to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Now, Riyadh plans to partially ease the suspension of inbound and outbound international flights from September 15.
A plan will also be announced to allow Umrah, state news agency SPA reported on Sunday, citing the Interior Ministry.
The Ministry said it will end all restrictions on air, land and sea transport after January 1, 2021, the exact date of which will be announced 30 days before the start of the new year.
Saudi Arabia has reported more than 325,000 coronavirus cases with over 4,200 deaths from the disease so far.
Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca performed by Muslims that can be undertaken at any time of the year, in contrast to Hajj that must be performed in the month of Dhul Hajja in the lunar Hijri calendar.
