PHSSR Saudi Arabia 2025

•Limited capacity : To maintain social distancing, the government signi ficantly reduced the number of pilgrims allowed to participate in the events. During the 2020 Hajj, only around 10,000 pilgrims were permitted, compared to the usual 2–3 million; •Age restrictions : Pilgrims within speci fic age groups, deemed to be at lower risk, were allowed to attend the events. The elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions were excluded as a precautionary measure; •Quarantine measures : Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, pilgrims were required to quarantine for a designated period before being allowed to participate in the religious events; •Social distancing : During the Hajj, strict social distancing guidelines were enforced. Special markings and barriers were placed in the holy sites to ensure that pilgrims maintained the recommended distance from one another; •Face masks : Wearing face masks was mandatory for all pilgrims and staff throughout the duration of the events; •Sanitisation : Regular cleaning and sanitisation of the holy sites were carried out. Pilgrims were also provided with personal hygiene kits that included sanitiser, gloves and masks; •Health monitoring : Health authorities closely monitored the pilgrims for any symptoms or signs of illness. Medical facilities and dedicated health teams were made available around the clock to address any health concerns. By implementing these preventative measures, the Saudi Arabian government aimed to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission and ensure the health and safety of all pilgrims attending the Hajj. Since the resumption of the pilgrimage, there have been no reports of major outbreaks directly linked to the event. This can be attributed to the stringent measures taken by the authorities to ensure the health and safety of the pilgrims. 85 Sustainability and Resilience in the Saudi Arabian Health System The Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience Table 10: Summary of the decisions made by the Saudi Arabian government regarding the Hajj during the Covid-19 pandemic 2020 2021 2022 Rules and regulationsSaudi citizen or resident aged 65 and under Must follow an electronic path for pilgrimsSaudi citizen or resident aged 65 years and under Must follow an electronic path for pilgrimsSaudi citizen, residents and those from outside the country aged 65 and under. Pilgrims from certain countries must meet several requirements. All pilgrims must follow an electronic path for pilgrims Numbers No more than 10,000 pilgrims No more than 60,000 pilgrims No more than one million pilgrims Preventive protocolsWear face masks at all times while performing the ritual, maintain a distance of at least 1.5 meters between pilgrims No social gathering or meeting Disclose any respiratory symptomsReceive approved Covid-19 vaccinations by the Saudi MoH The health status of those wishing to perform Hajj should not include any chronic diseasesComplete vaccination with accredited vaccines Submission of a negative Covid-19 test result from a sample collected not more than 72 hours prior to departure time to Saudi Arabia Note. All pilgrims must follow the health instructions and come with all precautionary measures to preserve their health and safety while performing the Hajj rituals