KUWAIT: The ministry of health announced health guidelines for hajj and the conditions required for this year's pilgrimage, the first of which is that the age of a pilgrim should be less than 65, with at least two shots of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the Saudi health ministry taken. The ministry said in a statement Monday that among the conditions is submitting a negative test result for COVID-19 taken within 72 hours before departure to Saudi Arabia.

According to the authorities in Saudi Arabia, there are instructions for hajj and umrah pilgrims before leaving the country, including being vaccinated at least 10 days before the date of travel, it pointed out. The ministry advised pilgrims from the groups most at risk of complications from flu or coronavirus, including pregnant women, children under 5 and people with chronic diseases, to postpone hajj and umrah rituals this year.

It underlined the need to avoid contact with people who have symptoms or signs of infectious respiratory diseases and avoid crowded places as much as possible. Instructions upon returning to the country include conducting a coronavirus test within 10 days of returning, the ministry indicated. - KUNA