Pilgrims were quarantined in the Muslim holy city of Makkah yesterday ahead of the dramatically downsized hajj as Saudi authorities strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak during the pilgrimage.
Up to 10,000 people already residing in the kingdom will participate in the annual ritual starting today, according to hajj officials, a tiny fraction of the 2.5 million international pilgrims that attended last year.
Those selected to take part in this year’s hajj were subject to temperature checks and placed in quarantine as they began trickling into Makkah at the weekend.
State media showed health workers sanitising their luggage, and some pilgrims reported being given electronic wristbands to allow authorities to monitor their whereabouts.
Hajj authorities have cordoned the Kaaba this year, saying pilgrims will not be allowed to touch it, to limit the chances of infection.
They also reported setting up multiple health facilities, mobile clinics and ambulances to cater to the pilgrims, who will be required to wear masks and observe social distancing.
Some 70 percent of the pilgrims are foreigners residing in the kingdom, while the rest will be Saudi citizens.
All worshippers were required to be tested for coronavirus before arriving in Makkah and will also have to quarantine after the pilgrimage as the number of cases in the kingdom nears 270,000 — one of the largest outbreaks in the Middle East.
They were given elaborate amenity kits that include sterilised pebbles for a stoning ritual, disinfectants, masks, a prayer rug and the ihram, a seamless white garment worn by pilgrims, according to a hajj ministry programme document.❑
