Saudi arabia reopens area around sacred kaaba amid virus measures

Saudi Arabia has reopened the area around the sacred Kaaba in Mecca, the holiest site in Islam, after a temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Kaaba, a cube-shaped building in the Grand Mosque, is the direction of prayer for Muslims around the world and is considered the holiest site in Islam. The area around the Kaaba, known as the Masaa, was closed to pilgrims and visitors in March as part of measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

However, Saudi authorities have now reopened the area to allow pilgrims and visitors to perform the Umrah pilgrimage and other religious rituals. The reopening is part of a gradual easing of restrictions in the country, which has seen a decline in new cases of COVID-19 in recent weeks.

The Saudi Ministry of Health has implemented a range of measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims and visitors, including:

• Temperature checks: Pilgrims and visitors will be required to undergo temperature checks before entering the Grand Mosque.
• Social distancing: The ministry has set up social distancing markers and signs to encourage pilgrims and visitors to maintain a safe distance from each other.
• Mask-wearing: Pilgrims and visitors are required to wear masks at all times while in the Grand Mosque.
• Limited capacity: The capacity of the Grand Mosque has been reduced to ensure that pilgrims and visitors can maintain social distancing.
• Sanitization: The ministry has increased the frequency of sanitization and cleaning in the Grand Mosque to prevent the spread of the virus.

The reopening of the area around the Kaaba is a significant development for Muslims around the world, who have been unable to perform the Umrah pilgrimage or visit the Grand Mosque due to the pandemic. The Saudi government has taken a cautious approach to reopening the area, prioritizing the safety and well-being of pilgrims and visitors.

The reopening of the area around the Kaaba is also seen as a boost to the Saudi economy, which has been heavily impacted by the pandemic. The Umrah pilgrimage is a significant source of revenue for the country, and the reopening of the area is expected to attract millions of pilgrims and visitors in the coming months.

Overall, the reopening of the area around the Kaaba is a positive development for Muslims around the world, and a significant step towards normalizing life in Saudi Arabia.