Saudi Arabia has restricted the annual Hajj pilgrimage to its own citizens and residents for the second year running in response to the coronavirus pandemic, while limiting the number of pilgrims is 60,000, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has reported.

Only people aged between 18 and 65 who have been vaccinated or immunised from the virus, and are free of chronic diseases, will be able to take part, said the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah that manages the Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah, said in a statement carried by SPA.

“The Ministry affirms that the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia always places great care and attention on the safety, health and security of pilgrims, and places this at the forefront of its priorities. In compliance with the purposes of Islamic Sharia in preserving the human soul, while providing all the necessary facilities that facilitate pilgrims to perform the rituals of Hajj and Umrah, and enable them to reach the holy places smoothly and easily, as the Kingdom has had the honour during the past ten years serving more than 150 million pilgrims,” SPA reported, citing a ministry statement.