Muslims perform Friday prayers while practicing social distancing in the Grand Mosque during the holy month of Ramazan, in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, April 16, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

Full-capacity attendance at Grand Mosques in Makkah, Madina allowed

Authorities cancel curbs on fully vaccinated people at closed venues, gatherings, transportation, restaurants, cinemas


Reuters October 15, 2021

Saudi Arabia will ease Covid-19 curbs from October 17, the interior ministry said on Friday, in response to a sharp drop in daily infections and a considerable development in vaccinations.

The government will lift social distancing measures and will allow full-capacity attendance at the country's two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina for those who have taken the full dose of vaccines, the ministry added.

The authorities also cancelled curbs on fully vaccinated people at closed venues, gatherings, transportation, restaurants and cinemas.

Read more: Work visa, residential permit holders can visit KSA

Masks are no longer mandatory at public open places while still imposed at closed venues, it added.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation issued a circular, stating that work visa and residential permit holders can directly visit the country under the new guidelines.

“All airlines must ensure the proof of confirmed booking at one of the airlines' approved passenger quarantine facilities,” read the circular issued to all airlines. It added that passengers must show the QR Code before boarding the plane.

Read Saudi investors offered ‘conducive atmosphere’

As per the notification, it is necessary for all airlines to verify the registration of passengers on the arrival platform. “Such passengers will be exempted from institutional quarantine, while legal action will be taken against the violators,” it read.

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