Saudi cancels age limit, PCR tests for pilgrim

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has removed the age limit and cancelled Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for the next year’s pilgrimage.

The Director General in charge of Hajj Missions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Bahauddeen bin Yusuf Alwani, announced this during a preparatory meeting for next year’s Hajj (1444 AH) via a video conference with the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zukrullah Kunle Hassan.

Alwani said the ministry had restored Nigeria to the allocation the country enjoyed before the COVID-19 outbreak.

The ministry, he added, had also granted NAHCON the Right of Choice of package for pilgrims’ services from the Mutawwiffs of African Non-Arab countries, the company responsible for the tent, feeding and transportation arrangements at the Mashair.

A statement by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publications, Mousa Ubandawaki, explained that the Saudi government directed that any payment to service providers must be through the e-track or e-wallet platforms as the Kingdom would not take responsibility for payment outside the two platforms.

Hassan, who thanked the Saudi Arabian government for restoring Nigeria’s Hajj allocation, pleaded that NAHCON be allowed to handle the feeding arrangement for the nation’s pilgrims during the hajj activities.

This, he said, would ensure that Nigerian pilgrims are better served.

Alwani said all accommodation agreements should be concluded by February 10.

NAHCON, the Saudi government said, must submit information of pilgrims 72 hours prior to their departure to the holy land to enable the government make adequate arrangements for their services.

(Nation)