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Riyadh: The Ministry of Health announced that it has started strictly implementing health regulations for Umrah pilgrims.
The two holy cities of Makkah and Madina are gearing to receive over one million pilgrims from all over the world during the month of Ramadan.
The ministry has readied all arrangements and preparations to ensure that no pilgrim carrying any infectious disease enters the kingdom. According to a press statement issued by the ministry, the pilgrims coming from some African countries and those from the American continent should carry with them certificates showing that they have received vaccination against yellow fever.
"The vaccination certificate would be valid as per the international health requirements. In the absence of such a certificate, the pilgrims will have to undergo vaccination at the entry points to the kingdom. They will be kept under observation for six days after taking vaccination and they will be allowed to leave for Makkah after presenting a report on their health by the concerned health authorities at the entry points," the ministry statement said.
According to ministry regulations, planes, ships and other carriers bringing in Umrah pilgrims into the kingdom have been directed to produce a certificate showing the carriers are free from insects and mosquitoes responsible for the spread of infectious diseases.
Umrah visa will be issued only to those who have vaccination against meningitis.
The pilgrims should carry a certificate showing that they have taken meningitis vaccination during the period between the last 10 days and three years.
The concerned countries will be responsible for any violations in this respect. The health authorities will also give vaccine drops to the pilgrims coming from other countries.
The Ministry has also urged pilgrims coming from abroad, especially the aged and those with chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart and kidney ailments, to take vaccination against influenza.
The ministry report also called upon domestic pilgrims to take vaccination before leaving for Makkah. There are also strict restrictions for bringing foodstuffs into the kingdom.
Only packed foodstuffs and those which are kept in containers that can easily open for inspection will be allowed, the ministry said.
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