Capacity restrictions removed, social distancing abolished as Masjid Haram, Nabawi completely open for worshippers

On Sunday, October 17, 2021, hundreds of worshippers adorned in white were seen performing Salatul Fajr (morning prayer) at the Ka’abah, Masjid Haram in Makkah, standing shoulder to shoulder, leg to leg for the first time since Saudi Arabia introduced social distancing last year, during the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Muslim News findings revealed that several other worshippers who are fully vaccinated also prayed in rows, without social distancing at the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) mosque in Medinah.

The decision to abolish the requirement of social distancing in Masjid Al-Haram and Masjid An-Nabawi from today, Sunday, was announced by the General President for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques on Friday.

Following the announcement, the Haramain Sharifain officers were sighted removing social distancing stickers immediately after Isha prayers on Saturday, as the majority of the Health precautions were relaxed by the Ministry of Interior.

According to the ministry, the government plans to lift social distancing measures and allow full-capacity attendance at the country’s two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Medina for those who have received the full doses of vaccine.

Authorities also lifted restrictions on fully vaccinated people entering closed venues, gatherings, transport facilities, restaurants, etc.

Masks are no longer required in open spaces, but they are still required in closed venues, the ministry added.

Source: Muslim News Nigeria