Saudi eases COVID rules, Makkah, Madinah to return to full capacity

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia will lift most COVID-19 restrictions from October 17 in response to a sharp drop in daily infections, State News Agency said quoting interior ministry official.

As per a report by The Gulf News, the worshippers who have received both vaccine doses will now be able to visit the two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah, while wearing a mask and using the Umrah tracking app.

Social distancing regulations will also be dropped and public places, transport, restaurants, cinemas, and other gatherings will be allowed to operate at full capacity once again.

Masks in open spaces will no longer be mandatory for fully-vaccinated people, although members of the public must still wear them in closed spaces and areas that are not monitored by the Tawakkalna tracing app, the ministry added in a statement carried by SPA.