(Karachi) Saudi Arabia will resume Umrah pilgrimage for international pilgrims from November 1 after suspension of months amid COVID-19 pandemic, Kingdom's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated on Monday.

The ministry stated that international Umrah will resume from November 1while all eligible countries will be informed regarding the decision.

Announcing the protocols for the resumption of International Umrah, it said that a negative PCR test no earlier than 72-hours before departure time in origin will be needed from the pilgrims while a quarantine period of three days must be completed in the hotel.

“Each group must be accompanied by a registered guide as no individual will be allowed to perform the Umrah,” it said while directing the pilgrims to arrive in the Kingdom with a registered group.

Earlier, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reopened the Muslim holy places for Umrah pilgrimage.

The Saudi government took the decision after implementing extensive health precautions and COVID-19 guidelines.

According to Saudi officials, the Umrah will be revived in three stages. In the initial phase, only 6,000 citizens and residents in the kingdom are allowed to perform Umrah. Furthermore, the pilgrims have been given time of three hours to perform their Umrah rituals.

The pilgrims will be divided into groups to ensure social distancing within the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Worshippers will now be able to perform the ritual of circling the sacred Kaaba along socially distanced paths.