Muslims wanting to travel to Saudi Arabia for hajj this year will have to be vaccinated against the Coronavirus.
Saudi Arabia Health Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said receiving the Covid-19 vaccine would be a prerequisite for all pilgrims.
According to Arab News, he called on authorities to prepare appropriate manpower in the health sector in Mecca and Medina ahead of the annual Islamic pilgrimage, taking place between 17-22 July this year.
IOL reported about 3430 people in South Africa had been accredited to go on the pilgrimage. Last year, due to the Coronavirus, only 1000 pilgrims living in the kingdom were allowed to perform the hajj.
Annually, some 2.5 million Muslims perform hajj.