According to local newspaper reports, Kuwait’s Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Ministry has issued a Circular specifying the Umrah conditions for nationals and expatriates. Its main requirement is for pilgrims to isolate for three days in Saudi Arabia. However, the rules for their return have not been specified. This includes whether they will have to isolate, how long they might have to isolate for and the testing and PCR certificate requirements. Umrah expedition offices and licensed travel and tourism offices will have to comply with the Circular. Citizens undertaking Umrah should be between 18 and 70 and register with the Tawakolna application with their passport number when they enter Saudi Arabia. They should take a PCR test 72 hours before going to Saudi Arabia from an accredited health centre and commit to isolating for three days in Saudi Arabia. Breakfast, lunch and dinner should be made available at the pilgrims residence in Mecca or any other areas of Saudi Arabia for three days before the rituals start. Finally, reservations have to be made through the Umrah application in line with the available dates and times. Expatriates undertaking Umrah should be between 18 and 50 and take a PCR test 72 hours before they arrive in Saudi Arabia and take it with an approved health centre. They should buy full-service packages and obtain visas from approved Umrah companies and commit to the isolation requirement for three days after they arrive and before they start the Umrah rituals. Reservations will be made through the Umrah application according to the available times and dates. Histoire complète
