Touching Kaaba to be banned during this year’s hajj

Touching the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, will be banned during the Hajj this year.

Saudi Arabia announced health protocols to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in the 2020 Hajj season on Monday.

It has banned gatherings and meetings between pilgrims. A social distancing space of a meter and a half between each pilgrim during the rituals including mass prayers and while in the Kaaba circling area will be imposed, a statement by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control elaborated.

Saudi Arabia decided in June to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending the Hajj to around 1,000 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, after barring Muslims abroad from the rite for the first year in modern times.

Also, access to holy Hajj sites at Mona, Muzdalifah and Arafat will be limited to those with Hajj permits starting from Sunday July 19 until August 2, 2020, and wearing masks all the time will be mandatory for both pilgrims and organisers.
The World Health Organisation has backed the decision of Saudi Arabia to drastically limit this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus said there were major questions about how to hold large gatherings safely as countries start to ease some restrictions and reopen their economies.

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