Sunday, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that they started preparations to receive pilgrims during Ramadan, in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Abdul Fattah Mashat said the ministry introduced a set of health requirements to be implemented during the Umrah season in Ramadan. He added that "All workers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca have been vaccinated and we have taken proactive measures to increase the number of pilgrims."

Mashat stressed that the competent authorities will supervise and ensure the strict implementation of health measures in the Two Holy Mosques.

Last week, the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing announced that COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for employees working in 'Hajj and Umrah activities' as well as shops in the cities of Mecca and Medina, as of the first of Ramadan. Other workers who must get vaccinated include restaurants, food shops, men's barbershops, women's beauty salons, gyms, sports centers, public transport sectors and tourist accommodation facilities.

The ministry added that workers who did not get vaccinated, they must get a PCR test done every seven days, at the expense of the employing facility.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health expanded the national vaccination program and established more vaccination sites across the Kingdom.

The ministry called citizens and residents to register for vaccination via the official 'Sehhaty' mobile application, stressing that the vaccine is free for everyone.