KUALA LUMPUR: The government hopes more Muslims in Malaysia will be able to perform the umrah and haj pilgrimage from this year with the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions by Saudi Arabia for entry into the country.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad (pic), in welcoming the announcement by the Saudi Arabian government, said Malaysia would always extend its cooperation to ensure the safety and health of umrah and haj pilgrims.
"The Saudi Arabian government must have assessed all the aspects and health protocols before lifting the restrictions, in line with the improving pandemic situation in the country.
"It must have also made thorough preparations based on best practices in order to ensure the safety of its people as well as umrah and haj pilgrims from all over the world," he said in a statement on Thursday (March 24).
On Wednesday (March 23), it was reported that the Saudi Arabian Health Ministry announced the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions, including the mandatory quarantine for arriving visitors.
The move was taken following a drop in cases and the vaccination rate reaching 99% of all residents aged 12 and above. – Bernama