Umrah is a sacred journey that takes place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Unlike the Hajj, it can be performed at any time of the year, like round the clock, and is one of the largest congregations in the world in terms of numbers. The rituals of Hajj and Umrah are strenuous and demanding, involving long walks in hot weather. Pilgrims from the UK prefer to come on Umrah Packages from the UK and are hereby advised to check the websites of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for updated travel advice.
The KSA Ministry of Health recommends that pregnant women and young children should postpone Hajj and Umrah as a precautionary measure following the wake of COVID-19. However, this is now abolished following the fading risk of COVID-19, Alhamdulillah.
Every year in early summer, the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issues the entry visa requirements and recommendations for pilgrims and seasonal workers wishing to visit KSA during the upcoming Hajj and Umrah season. British citizens residing in Saudi Arabia and British nationals residing in Saudi Arabia can find information on how to register to apply to perform Hajj and Umrah 1443H using the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's official app 'Eatmarna'. However, this app is now known as Nusuk. The Council of British Hajis" also provides regular updates on Umrah, while a guide is published which can be seen and viewed for detailed info. For individual pilgrims and seasonal workers, the information on the country page should be tailored.
A mass congregation could increase virus transmission and potentially overwhelm the host country's response capacity following COVID-19. To reduce the risk of transmission or the potential burden on health services, all travellers to KSA must comply with local preventive regulations and procedures required by the KSA authorities. Pilgrims should ensure that they are up to date with all routine vaccinations and ideally visit their healthcare provider at least four to six weeks before performing Umrah for advice on vaccinations, malaria chemoprophylaxis (if appropriate for travel before or after the pilgrimage), food and water precautions, insect bite risks, heat exhaustion and injury prevention. In some situations, postponement of Umrah should be considered if the risks to the pilgrim are deemed to be high. The KSA Ministry of Health recommends that pregnant women and young children should postpone the performance of the Hajj and Umrah rituals for their own safety. Vaccinations should be up to date, including measles, mumps and rubella, which are routine vaccinations in the UK.
All travellers over one year of age arriving for Umrah are required to provide a valid certificate of vaccination with a quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine administered at least 10 days before planning to travel to Hajj and Umrah areas. A vaccination record should be kept with the individual's full name and details of the name and type of vaccine should be recorded. It is recommended that the vaccination record be issued by the individual's doctor, nurse or pharmacist and should accurately reflect the details of the vaccine administered and be authenticated by the official stamp of the healthcare provider.
A valid international certificate of vaccination or Prophylaxis against yellow fever is required for all travellers over nine months of age travelling to KSA for Hajj and Umrah from countries or areas at risk of transmission of yellow fever according to WHO international travel and health guidelines. For Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, the above-mentioned vaccine-preventable diseases are of particular concern. Pilgrims should be advised of the importance of avoiding contact with wild or domestic animals and of the need to seek emergency medical treatment as soon as possible if they are potentially exposed. In the UK, the influenza vaccine is available free of charge to those in clinical risk groups and eligible travellers should receive an annual influenza vaccination from their usual healthcare provider.
