Riyadh - Mubasher: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that non-Saudi residents will make up 70% of the total number of pilgrims performing Hajj this year, while Saudis will be allotted the remaining 30%, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia allowed the Hajj of this year to go forward only with a small number of pilgrims, limited to Saudi citizens and residents aged 65 or younger, who are already in the kingdom.

Only Saudi healthcare workers and security personnel who have recovered from COVID-19 will be allowed to perform Hajj this year. This comes in recognition of their role in providing care to the society during all stages of the pandemic.

Health standards will be the key selection criteria for this year’s Hajj, the ministry noted.

As regards non-Saudi residents, priority will be given to those aged between 20 and 50 who do not suffer from chronic diseases, who show a negative PCR test result, and also have not performed Hajj before. 

Selected pilgrims shall adhere to a quarantine period before and after the Hajj that will be set by the health ministry. 

on Monday, Saudi Arabia announced health protocols for this year's Hajj season to prevent the spread of COVID-19.