RIYADH: Saudia, the Kingdom’s flag carrier, has started implementing its operational plan to transport pilgrims from various countries to Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2022, Saudi Press Agency reported. Saudia has already flown pilgrims from the Indian city of Kochi and the Indonesian capital Jakarta into Madinah’s Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport. Hajj pilgrims
Abu Dhabi eyes tourism
Dubai Airports’ CEO Paul Griffiths has confirmed he supports the global push for ‘vaccine passports’ as a critical tool to resume international travel.
“I don t think there is an alternative,” he told the BBC. “I think the problem is not the vaccine passport and its discrimination. It s the need to roll things out and have a proper globally equitable vaccine programme.
“I just don t think the world can survive without [mass] mobility for much longer, certainly socially and economically, but you can understand why countries around the world are being very conservative. The last thing any politician wants is a surge of infection on their turf.“
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JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced guidelines for issuing Umrah and prayer permits for the month of Ramadan. Vaccinations are at the top of the priority list, with no worshippers allowed into either Makkah’s Grand Mosque or the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah without having received at least one dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
Additionally, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has highlighted the need to follow all precautionary measures to ensure the safety, health and security of those visiting the two holy mosques. Millions of worshippers have visited the mosques while wearing masks and maintaining physical distance since a seven-month suspension of prayers and Umrah was lifted last October.