Saudi Arabia to allow 1 million hajj pilgrims this year

Saudi Arabia said Saturday it will permit 1 million Muslims from inside and outside the country to participate in this year's hajj, a sharp uptick after pandemic restrictions forced two years of drastically pared-down pilgrimages, Report informs, with reference to Voice of America.

The hajj ministry "has authorized 1 million pilgrims, both foreign and domestic, to perform the hajj this year," it said in a statement.

This year's hajj, which will take place in July, will be limited to vaccinated pilgrims under age 65, Saturday's announcement said.

Those coming from outside Saudi Arabia will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours of travel.