This will be the first time that foreigners from outside the Kingdom will have the opportunity to perform Hajj since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus
People under the age of 18 and over 60 will not be allowed to go for Hajj this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The Indian government has slammed the posts as "completely false," with officials concerned that the term "Indian variant" could hurt the country's reputation.
“It has come to our knowledge that a false statement is being circulated online which implies that an 'Indian variant' of coronavirus is spreading across the countries. This is completely false,” read the letter, obtained by AFP.
Political rivalries between the communist prime minister and his former Maoist allies hit a new peak as the country battles a severe coronavirus wave with acute shortages of oxygen and vaccines.
"Considering the current situation, there is no room for relaxation. We do not want [a repeat] of the situation from last June and July," he said.
Elaborating his government's decision to change business timings, he said "We had said earlier that markets would be allowed to remain open till 8 pm, but we are reverting back to 6 pm. A notification in this regard will be issued today."